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MALICE 



GRAND DUCHESS OF HESSE 

0\;^ V PRINCESS 

J OF 

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND LETTERS 



IV/TIf PORTRAITS 



NEW YORK 
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

27 & 29 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET 



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* JUN 20 1889 * 



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By Traosfex 



TO 

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS 

THE HEEEDITAEY GKAND DUKE 

AND TO 

THEIR GRAND DUCAB HIGHNESSES 

THE PRINCESSES 

VICTORIA, ELIZABETH, IRENE, ALIX 

OP HESSE AND BY RHINE 



A 3 



PREFACE, 

The great affectiojst with which my dear Sister has 
ever been regarded in this country, and the universal 
feehng of sympathy shown at the time of her death, 
lead me to hope that the publication of this volume 
may not be unwelcome, containing as it does extracts 
from her Letters to my Mother, together with a brief 
record of her married life. 

The short Memoir here translated from the 
German, with which the letters are interwoven, was 
written, as will be seen at a glance, not as presenting 
anything like a complete picture of my Sister's cha- 
racter and opinions, but merely as a narrative of such 
of the incidents of her life as were necessary to il- 
lustrate and explain the letters themselves. 

In these days, when the custom has become 
general of publishing biographies of all persons of 



[8] Preface. 

note or distinction, it was thought advisable, in order 
that a true picture might be given of my Sister, that 
a short sketch of her life should be prepared by 
some one who was personally known to her, and who 
appreciated the many beautiful features of her cha- 
racter. The choice fell upon a clergyman at Darm- 
stadt, Dr. Sell. 

It would have been premature and out of place 
to attempt anything like a complete picture of a cha- 
racter so many-sided, or of my Sister's opinions on 
the affairs of Europe, in which she took the deepest 
interest, and on which she formed opinions remark- 
able for breadth and sagacity of view. The domestic 
side of her nature might alone for the present be 
freely dealt with ; and to help Dr. Sell in dehneating 
this, my Mother selected for his guidance the extracts 
from my Sister's letters to her which appear in the 
present volume. There was no thought at first of 
making these extracts public, but they were found to 
be so beautiful, and to be so true an expression of 
what my Sister really was, that, in compliance with the 
request of the Grand Duke her husband, they were 
allowed to be translated and published, so that her 



PREFAC L [9] 

subjects might see in them how great reason they 
had to love her whom they had lost. 

The letters in their original form are here given 
to the English public, and I am sure that all who 
read them will feel thankful to my Mother for thus 
granting them a closer insight into my dear Sister's 
beautiful and unselfish life. 

They will see in them also, with satisfaction, 
how devoted she was to the land of her birth, — how 
her heart ever turned to it with reverence and affec- 
tion as the country which had done and was doing 
for Liberty and the advancement of mankind more 
than any other country in the world. How deep was 
her feeling in this respect was testified by a request, 
which she made to her husband in anticipation of her 
death, that an English flag might be laid upon her 
coffin ; accompanying the wish with a modest expres- 
sion of a hope, that no one in the land of her adoption 
could take umbrage at her desire to be borne to her 
rest with the old English colours above her. 

In any case I feel confident that the perusal of 
these letters must deepen the love and admiration 
which has always been felt for my beloved Sister in 



[lo] PREFACE. 

this country, where she ever thanked God that her 
childhood and youth had been tended with a wise 
love, that had fostered and developed all those quali- 
ties and tastes which she most valued and strove 
to cultivate in her later years. 

I had written these words, when another beloved 
member of our family, whose name often recurs in 
my Sister's letters, was suddenly taken from us, and 
from our country. Writing of my dear Brother to 
my Mother (February 1, 1868) she said, ' May God 
spare that young bright and gifted life to be a com- 
fort to you for many a year to come ! ' That life, 
which then hung trembling in the balance, was 
mercifully spared, not indeed for many a year, but 
long enough to make my Brother more beloved by 
his family and friends, and to enable him to give to 
his country some token of the good gifts with which 
he was endowed. As he was the last of us to see 
my dear Sister in hfe, so he has been the first to 
follow her into the Silent Land. 

HELENA. 

Cumberland Lodge : 
loth April, 1884. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

PKEFACE. By Hee Eoyal Highness Pbincess Christian [7] 

CHILDHOOD AND GIKLHOOD, 1843-62 1 

IN HEE NEW HOME, 1862-65 23 

1862 27 

1863 43 

1864 64 

1865 81 

AT HOME AND AT WORK, 1866-72 115 

1866 117 

1867 161 

1868 191 

1869 208 

1870 227 

1871 257 

1872... 275 

TRIALS, 1873-77 291 

1873 293 

1874 314 

1875 332 

1876 341 

1877 349 



[12] CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

THE END, 1878 361 

CONCLUDING REMAEKS 379 

APPENDIX :— 

A WATCHEK BY THE DEAD 389 

A SKETCH IN MBMOBIAM DECEMBEB 14, 1878. BY SIR THEODOEE 

MARTIN, K.C.B 396 

LINES IN MEMORIAM 403 



DIRECTIONS TO BINDER. 



POETEAIT OF H.E.H. PEINCESS ALICE, 1878 Frontispiece 

POETEAIT OF H.E.H. PEINCESS ALICE, 1860 Tofacepage2& 



Childhood and Girlhood 

I 843-1 862 

' I ever look back to my cliildhood and girlhood as the 
happiest time of my life ' (13^/* Jmie, 1869) 



B 



Princess Alice, as she is ever called in England, was 
born at Buckingham Palace on the 25th of April, 1843. 
She was the third child and second daughter of Queen 
Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort. At her christening, 
which took place at the Palace on the 2nd of June, she 
received the names of Alice Maud Mary. Princess Sophia 
Matilda of Gloucester, niece of King George III., and 
sister-in-law to the Duchess of Gloucester, was one of her 
godmothers, and her Eoyal parents chose the name of 
Maud, which is the same as Matilda, on account of its 
being an old English name borne by the Empress Maud, 
and other British princesses. The name of ' Mary ' was 
chosen because the little Princess was born on the Duchess 
of Gloucester's birthday. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated at the christen- 
ing. The sponsors were : the reigning King of Hanover, 
Ernest Augustus; the Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg 
and Gotha ; Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester, sister- 
in-law to the Duchess of Gloucester, niece of George HI. ; 
and Feodora, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, half-sister 
of the Queen. 

B 2 



4 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

The christening was, as the Queen herself told her 
uncle, the King of the Belgians, when writing to him on 
the 6th of June, * a very imposing ceremony. Nothing 
could have gone off better, and little Alice behaved ex- 
tremely well.' ^ 

Though twenty- two years only have passed since the 
wholly unexpected death of Prince Albert deprived the 
Queen of her devoted husband, the Koyal children of a most 
loving and beloved father, and the whole nation of one of its 
wisest counsellors, his life, in the admirable biographical 
memorial by Sir Theodore Martin, forms already part of 
history, and by it we are enabled to form a just estimate of 
the perfect character and great intellectual abilities of the 
Prince, whom his daughter, Princess Alice, revered through 
life as her highest ideal. 

Prince Albert, the second son of the then reigning 
Duke of Coburg, was the very picture of manly chivalrous 
beauty. He was very young, not yet twenty-one years old, 
when he became the Consort of the Queen of England, who 
was only three months older. But by his strength of 
character and rare energy of intellect, combined with a 
thorough self-control and an unswerving devotion to the 
duties of his position, he succeeded in gaining the love and 
esteem of a nation which, though it keeps watch over its 
rights and privileges with peculiar jealousy, knows also 
how to show great generosity, when once it has learnt to 
trust and to love. 

With his wonderful power of mastering new and dif&- 

* Life of the Prince Consort, by Sir Theodore Martin, vol. i. p. 166. 



1843 — 1862. 5 

cult subjects he made himself familiar with the history 
and policy, the social and agricultural conditions, the 
industries and commercial relations of his adopted country. 
In his position of intimate confidential adviser to the 
Sovereign he showed the greatest tact, and gained the 
affection and respect of the Ministers who succeeded one 
another at the head of affairs ; whilst the more he became 
known the more his genuine worth was appreciated by the 
nation at large. 

Chief of all, two nations have acknowledged with grate- 
ful admiration, that under his influence there grew up in 
the midst of the most brilliant Court in Europe a domestic 
family life, so perfect in its purity and charm that it might 
well serve for a bright example to every home in the 
land. Whilst sharing with the Sovereign all the labours and 
the cares of state, the Prince made suitable changes and 
practical arrangements in the Eoyal Household, and, by 
steadily adhering to principles which he had once recog- 
nised as the best, he succeeded in making life happy and 
peaceful to all around him. Thus it was that the Eoyal 
Family of England, whether residing in the splendid 
palaces at Windsor, in London, or at Osborne, the lovely 
country seat in the Isle of Wight, or at Balmoral, sur- 
rounded by the sterner scenery of the Scotch Highlands, 
was enabled to enjoy a life of perfect tranquillity amidst 
the political tempests of the most turbulent decade of our 
times. 

The childhood of the Princess Alice was a very happy 
one, and much favoured by circumstances. When she was 



6 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

a year old, her father raentioned her as ' the beauty of the 
family,' and as an extremely good and merry child. Her 
mother adds, ' she was a very vain little person.' 

She developed naturally. At first she was not thought 
to be so highly gifted as later years proved her to be. Her 
father often used to speak of her as ' poor dear little Alice,' 
as if he had to take her part. She soon became a great 
favourite with all around her. Lady Lyttleton, who up to 
1851 was entrusted with the supervision of the Koyal chil- 
dren, and to whose pen we owe so many accounts of that 
happy family life', writes as follows on the little Princess's 
fourth birthday : — 

* Dear Princess Alice is too pretty, in her low frock and 
pearl necklace, trij^ping about and blushing and smiling at 
her honours. The whole family, indeed, appear to advan- 
tage on birthdays ; no tradesman or country squire can 
keep one with such hearty simple affection and enjoy- 
ment. One present I think we shall all wish to live far- 
ther off : a live lamb, all over pink ribbons and bells. He 
is already the gi'eatest pet, as one may suppose. 

* Princess Alice's pet lamb is the cause of many tears. 
He will not take to his mistress, but runs away lustily, and 
will soon butt at her, though she is most coaxy, and said to 
him in her sweetest tones, after kissing his nose often, 
" Milly, dear Milly ! do you like me ? '" 

One of the main j)rinciples observed in the education of 
the Eoyal children was this — that though they received the 
best trainmg, of body and mind, to fit them for the high 
position they would eventually have to fill, they should in 
no wise come in contact with the actual Court life. The 



1843 — 1 862. 7 

children were scarcely known to the Queen's ladies-in-wait- 
ing, as they only now and then made their appearance for 
a moment after dinner at dessert, or accompanied their 
parents out driving. The care of them was exclusively 
entrusted to persons who possessed the Queen and Prince 
Consort's entire confidence, and with whom they could 
at all times communicate direct. The Koyal parents kept 
themselves thoroughly informed of the minutest detail of 
what was being done for their children in the way of train- 
ing and instruction. 

After the first years of childhood were past, the Koyal 
children were placed under the care of English, French, 
and German governesses, who, again, were under a Lady 
Superintendent, and accompanied the children in their 
walks and watched over them during their games. 

To the lessons in foreign languages music and draw- 
ing were soon added, for which the young Princess showed 
a decided talent.^ ' Her copybooks were always neatness 
itself, and she wrote a very pretty hand.' * Fresh, bloom- 
ing, and healthy, escaping most of the illnesses of child- 
hood, cheerful, merry, full of fun and mischief,' she de- 
lighted in all bodily exercises, such as gymnastics, skating, 
&c. Above all, she was passionately fond of riding and of 
horses. She preferred playing with her brothers, and was 
bold and fearless as a boy. With all this, however, she 
soon showed proofs of real kindness of heart and of tender 
consideration for others. 'I remember well,' a former 

2 The memoranda in this paragraph are communicated by the Crown 
Princess of Germany. 



8 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

dresser of the Queen's relates, * meeting the Koyal children 
playing in the corridor, and, as I passed on, the Prince of 
Wales making a joke about my great height, the Princess 
said to her brothers, but so that I should hear it : " It is very 
nice to be tall ; Papa would like us all to be tall." ' * Her 
kindness of heart showed itself in all her actions when a child. 
Whenever she in the least suspected that anybody's feel- 
ings had been hurt, she always tried to make things smooth 
again.' ' At Christmastime she was most anxious to give 
pleasure to everybody, and bought presents for each with 
her own pocket-money. She once gave me a little pin- 
cushion, and on another occasion a basket, and wrote on 
a little card with a coloured border (always in German for 
me) " For dear Frida [now Madame Miiller], from Alice," 
and brought it me herself on Christmas Eve. I felt that 
she had thought how much I must have missed my home 
that day.' 

The first journeys on which she, with her elder sister 
and brother, was allowed to accompany her parents are 
vividly described in the Queen's Journal. They were those 
to Ireland, in 1849, and, in 1850, to the Highlands ; and to 
the beauty and grandeur of Highland scenery she remained 
through life an enthusiastic devotee. 

Her intellectual faculties and the deeper qualities of her 
character did not in her case, as, indeed, generally happens 
with high-spirited healthy children, develop very early; 
but almost from the first she showed those qualities of dis- 
position which win all hearts and lend a charm to daily 
life. 



1843— 1 862. 9 

Little theatrical pieces performed by the Eoyal children 
on festive anniversaries in the family — partly, too, with a 
view of gaining facility in foreign languages — were the field 
in which the young Princess decidedly distinguished her- 
self. No child ever performed the part of the High Priest 
Joad in Kacine's Athalie with more dignity, and with a 
more pleasing intonation ; and a more delightful German 
Eed Eidinghood ^ than the Princess never appeared upon 
the stage. 

Of one of these performances, given in honour of the 
Queen and Prince's wedding-day in 1854, Baroness Bun- 
sen gives the following description in her biogra^Dhy of 
Baron Bunsen. A tableau representing the Four Seasons 
had been studied and contrived by the Eoyal children. 
* First appeared Princess Alice as the Spring, scattering 
flowers, and reciting verses, which were taken from Thom- 
son's Seasons ; she moved gracefully, and spoke in a dis- 
tinct and pleasmg manner with excellent modulation, and a 
tone of voice sweet and penetrating like that of the Queen.' ^ 

It was during these years that Princess Alice formed 
her warm friendship for the Princess Louise of Prussia, 
now Grand Duchess of Baden, who records her first impres- 
sions of the young Princess in the following words : — 

* She was at that time most graceful in appearance 
— charming, merry and amiable ; and though always oc- 
cupying a subordinate place to her very gifted and dis- 
tinguished sister, there never was the least semblance 

^ In a little piece of that name by Madame Jonas. 
* Bunsen's Life, ii. B28. 



lo CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

of a disagreement. Alice's cheerful disposition and her 
great power of observation showed themselves very early 
in the pleasantest manner, and she had a remarkable gift 
of making herself attractive to others. Her individuality 
was less decided and prominent than that of her sister, 
and she had a special charm of childhood grace. Our walks 
and drives together, the life in the schoolroom, the games in 
the corridors, or in dear old Baron Stockmar's room — these 
and all the pleasure and enjoyment of being together with 
the two sisters will ever remain amongst the happiest and 
most lasting of my recollections.' 

The opening of the First Great Exhibition in 1851 — 
Prince Albert's own creation — was the occasion of a visit 
of the Prince of Prussia (the present Emperor of Germany) 
and his family to the English Court. This visit was re- 
peated in 1853. Meanwhile an active correspondence had 
sprung up between the young friends, in which Princess 
Alice took a most active part. 

' Alice was now drawn more into the circle of the grown- 
up members of the family ; but, in spite of this, she re- 
tained all the fascination of her charming graceful ways. 
A great vein of humour showed itself in her, as well as 
a certain sharpness in criticising people who were not con- 
genial to her. Many a little conflict took place in the 
schoolroom ; but while the individualities of the sisters 
became more and more distinct, their happy relations to 
one another remained unchanged. She was a great favour- 
ite with her brothers and sisters, though they knew she 
was fond of mischief. 

' To a naturally engaging manner quite exceptional 
joyousness and power of showing affectionate emotion 



1843 — 1862. II 

imparted an especial charm, which revealed itself in the 
fine lines of her face, in her graceful movements and a 
certain inborn nobleness and dignity. Her attachment to 
my parents, " Uncle Prussia " and " Aunt Prussia " was 
truly touching.' 

In 1855 Princess Alice had her first serious illness — 
scarlet fever — caught from her younger sister, Princess 
Louise. She recovered easily, but for some time after- 
wards a certain delicacy was observable. The accounts at 
that time are unanimous in describing the peculiarly sweet 
development of her disposition, and the manifestation of 
a true womanly interest in the works of charity and mercy. 
The feeling of acting independently for the good of others 
had been aroused in many ways in the Eoyal children. 
The Swiss Cottage at Osborne, in like manner, with its 
museum, kitchen, store-room and little gardens, was made 
the means of learning how to do household work, and to 
direct the management of a small establishment. 

The parents were invited there as guests, to partake of 
the dishes which the Princesses themselves had prepared ; 
and there, too, each child was allowed to choose its own oc- 
cupation, and to enjoy perfect liberty. 

The life in the Highlands, free from the restraint of 
Court life, brought the Eoyal children into closer contact 
with the humbler classes, and called into play their sym- 
pathies for the poor. 

They were permitted to visit the humblest cottages — 
nay, even encouraged to do so. There it was, no doubt, that 
a feeling of pity for and an ardent desire to help the poor, 



12 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

the sick, and the needy, were first aroused m the Prmcess. 
We know how these early impressions led in later life to 
her founding some of the noblest and most beneficent 
institutions. 

The blessings of a happy family life — which generally 
those only are allowed to enjoy who live in happy obscurity 
from the great world — were fully appreciated by the Prin- 
cess, as we may see from her later letters, abounding in 
gratitude to her parents and brothers and sisters, and from 
the frequent references which she makes to this period of her 
life. 

The visits of the grandchildren to their beloved grand- 
mother, the Duchess of Kent, old in years but young in 
spirit, at her residences at Frogmore (near Windsor), and 
Abergeldie (near Balmoral), had a peculiar charm for them. 

The first excursion the Princess made out of her na- 
tive land was to Cherbourg,^ when, with her brothers and 
sisters, she accompanied her parents. The lovely scenery 
about Cherbourg has become familiar to us through the 
descriptions given by the Queen. 

A great change in the life of the Princess took place 
through the engagement of the Princess Koyal to Prince 
Frederick William of Prussia. Hitherto the Princess had 
in a great measure shared her sister's studies and artistic 
occupations, and had had the same companions, taking 
quietly and naturally the second place. Now her sister's 
departure for a new home wrought an entire change in her 
life, throwing upon her, as it did, new responsibilities as 

* In 1857. See tlie Life of the Prince Consort, vol. iv. 



1843 — 1 862. 13 

now the eldest daughter at home, and placing her in a new 
position in relation to her parents, and particularly to her 
father, whose constant care it was to imbue her with that 
sincerity and earnestness of purpose without which, to use 
his friend Baron Stockmar's words, ' it was impossible to 
fill one's position in life happily, worthily, and with dignity.' 

The closer intercourse with her father laid the founda- 
tion of that deep and intelligent love of plastic art and of 
music, for which she had already as a child shown a 
decided talent. Her appreciation of all that was best in the 
arts was fostered by the many treasures by which she was 
surrounded at Windsor Castle, and also by prosecuting her 
studies and practice in music along with the Prince Consort. 

The many great and stirring events of those years, the 
disturbance of Europe through the Eevolutions of 1848 
and 1849, and the Crimean war, took place when the 
Princess was already old enough to feel their gravity ; and 
served to awaken and foster the keen interest which she 
took in later years in all political occurrences. 

Another great European conflict was approaching, just 
about the time of her Confirmation, which took j)lace on the 
21st of April, 1859. Besides having been prepared for it 
by the Dean of Windsor (the Hon. and Very Eev. G. 
Wellesley), the Prince Consort himself had given the 
Princess instructions, as he had previously done to the 
Princess Koyal, from A Manual of Religion and of the His- 
tory of the Christian Church, by Carl Gottlieb Bretschneider 
(formerly ' General Superintendent ' in Gotha). The 
Prince's object in this was to encourage her in serious 



14 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

thought, and in independent reflections on religious ques- 
tions. 

The ceremony of the Confirmation, which was performed 
by the Archbishop of Canterbury, had barely been con- 
cluded, when the news arrived of the threatened invasion 
of Sardinia by Austria, which finally ended in the Austro- 
Italian war, so disastrous to Austria, of 1859. 

The Queen makes the following remarks on this event 
in a letter to her uncle, the King of the Belgians : — 

... * But this did not in the least disturb our dear 
child's equanimity. She was in a most devotional state of 
mind — quiet, gentle, self-possessed, and deeply impressed 
by the importance and solemnity of the event. She an- 
swered admirably at her examination, and went through 
the ceremony in a very perfect manner.' ^ 

Not long before this the Queen had given her own 
opinion of her daughter in the following words : — 

* She is very good, gentle, sensible, and amiable, and a 
real comfort to me. I shall not let her marry as long as I 
can reasonably delay her doing so.' '^ 

In June 1860 the Queen and Prince Consort received 
numerous guests at Windsor Castle for the Ascot races, 
amongst others the King of the Belgians and the two 
Princes, Louis and Henry of Hesse, sons of Prince Charles 
of Hesse and nephews of the reigning Grand Duke. After 
they had left England, the Prince Consort mentioned to 
his valued friend Baron Stockmar, that there was no doubt 

6 Life of the Prince Consort, vol. iv. p. 429. '' Ibid. p. 427. 



1843 — 1862. 15 

Prince Louis and Princess Alice had formed a mutual lik- 
ing, and that he quite expected it would lead to further 
advances from the young Prince's family. 

Judging bv the favourable impression which the manly 
and attractive Prince of twenty-three had made, the prob- 
able result was eagerly looked for. 

Before long a letter from Princess Frederic "William 
from Berlin announced that she had been in communication 
with Prince Louis's mother, Princess Charles of Hesse 
(cousin of the Prince Kegent of Prussia), who had informed 
her of her son's great admiration for her sister. It was 
arranged that, after the journey of the Queen and Prince 
Consort to Germany that autumn, the young Prince should 
pay a second visit to England ; and leave of absence for 
him was to be obtained from the Prince Ptegent of Prussia.^ 
This was done, and he arrived at Windsor Castle in Novem- 
ber. On the 30th of November the Queen wrote as follows 
in her Diary : — 

* . . . After dinner, whilst talking to the gentlemen, I 
perceived Alice and Louis talking before the fireplace more 
earnestly than usual, and when I passed to go to the other 
room, both came up to me, and Alice in much agitation 
said he had proposed to her, and he begged for my blessing. 
I could only squeeze his hand and say " Certainly," and 
that we would see him in our room later. Got through 
the evening working as well as we could. Alice came to 
our room . . . agitated, but quiet. . . . Albert sent for 
Louis to his room ; he went first to him and then called 

^ Prince Louis of Hesse was at this time serving in the Prussian 
Guards at Potsdam. 



i6 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

Alice and me in. . . . Louis has a warm, noble heart. We 
embraced onr dear Alice, and praised her much to him. 
He pressed and kissed my hand, and I embraced him. 
After talking a little, we parted ; a most touching, and to 
me most sacred, moment.' ^ 

As this was entirely a marriage of affection, the happi- 
ness of the ' young people ' was very great. 

Prince Louis stayed over Christmas, which this year 
seemed brighter to the whole family, from the accession of 
what her father termed ' a beloved newly-bestowed full- 
grown son.' ' Our dear Bridegroom,' as the Prince Con- 
sort calls the young Prince, left on the 28th of December. 
The parting was tearful, but full of hope, as he was to 
return in the spring. 

During the first happy weeks after her engagement, 
Princess Alice had spent the greater part of her evenings 
with her beloved grandmother, the Duchess of Kent, either 
reading or playing on the piano to her, as the Duchess's 
health did not allow of her dining at Windsor Castle. 

The Duchess's condition had become worse during the 
first months of the new year (1861), and she died on 
the 16th of March at the age of seventy-four in the pre- 
sence of her beloved and loving daughter, whose happiness 
and affection had been the joy of her life, and also of her 
equally beloved son-in-law, and the Princess Alice. On this 
sad occasion, which she felt most deeply. Princess Alice 
showed the comfort and help she was fitted to be to her 
family in times of sorrow and anxiety. 

8 Life of the Prince Consort, vol. v. p. 253. 



1843 — iS62. 17 

The Queen communicated to Parliament in a ' Message ' 
the contemplated marriage of the Princess. The announce- 
ment was received with general satisfaction. When, shortly 
afterwards, the question of the Princess's * settlement ' was 
laid before the House of Commons, the dowry of 30,000?., 
with an annuity of 6,000L, was voted without a dissentient 
voice. ' She will not,' writes her careful father, ' be able to 
do great things with it.' 

In May Prince Louis arrived at Osborne on a visit. 
Soon after, however, he fell ill with the measles. Prince 
Leopold caught them from him, and was very seriously ill. 

In the following month the whole family were for the 
last time together, including the two sons-in-law ^ and the 
two grandchildren from Potsdam. 

Prince Louis paid another visit to England in September, 
when he took part in those delightful expeditions in the High- 
lands, which were to be the last the Prince Consort made.^ 

In December, in the midst of preparations which he 
was making for Princess Alice's future household, and for 
a journey of her brother. Prince Leopold, to Cannes, the 
Prince Consort fell ill. Princess Alice was often with her 
father during his illness, reading to him, and in intimate 
communication with her mother. Soon, however, the ill- 
ness developed into low fever, and the Prince, worn out by 
over-work and anxiety, had not strength to resist it, and 
died peacefully on the 14th of December, in the presence of 



^ This is not quite correct. Prince Louis liad left for Germany before 
the others arrived. 

^ See Leaves from a Journal, p. 204 et seq. 



i8 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Princesses Alice 
and Helena. During the days of unspeakable sorrow which 
followed upon the death of the Prince Consort, it was Prin- 
cess Alice above all who was a real support to her broken- 
hearted mother. The unanimous opinion of eye-witnesses 
as to what the Princess went through and achieved at this 
time is truly astonishing. 

* Herself filled with intensest sorrow at her beloved 
father's death — and what a father ! what a head of a 
family ! what a friend and adviser to his wife and 
children ! — she at once took into her own hands every- 
thing that was necessary in those first dark days of the 
destruction of that happy home. All communications from 
the Ministers and household passed through the Princess's 
hands to the Queen, then bowed down by grief. She en- 
deavoured in every way possible, either verbally or by 
writing, to save her mother all trouble. The decision to 
leave "Windsor for Osborne directly after the Prince's death, 
according to the urgent wish of the King of the Belgians, 
and which it was so difficult and painful for the Queen to 
make, was obtained by the Princess's influence.' 

The gay, bright girl seemed all at once to have changed 
into the thoughtful woman. 

* It was the very intimate intercourse with the sorrowing 
Queen at that time which called forth in Princess Alice 
that keen interest and understanding in politics for which 
she was afterwards so distinguished. She also gained at this 
time that practical knowledge for organising, and the desire 
for constant occupation, which in her public as well as in 
her private life became part of herself. The Princess sud- 



1843 — 1862. 19 

denly developed into a wise far-seeing woman, living only 
for others, and beloved and respected by the highest as 
well as by the lowest.' ^ 

It was at this time that the Times said of the Prin- 
cess : * It is impossible to speak too highly of the strength 
of mind and self-sacrifice shown by Princess Alice during 
these dreadful days. Her Eoyal Highness has certainly 
understood, that it was her duty to be the help and support 
of her mother in her great sorrow, and it was in a great 
measure due to her that the Queen has been able to bear 
with such wonderful resignation the irreparable loss that 
so suddenly and terribly befell her.' 

The young * bridegroom ' did not remain absent in 
those days, but arrived without delay. 

A touching trait is told by the same near relation of 
the Princess whose memorandum has just been quoted. 
As she was placing wreaths and flowers over the dear 
dead Prince, and both knelt down near him, she said 
in a heartrending voice, * Oh ! dear Molly, let us pray to 
God to give us back dear Papa ! ' 

The letters published in this volume will show that the 
feeling of that irreparable loss never left her through life, 
and our impression cannot be a false one, that it was this 
loss which brought out the deep earnestness of her cha- 
racter, and which made her feel that life was no light thing, 
but a time of probation to be spent in earnest work and 
conscientious fulfilment of duty. 

' Memorandum by the Grand Duchess of Baden. 

c 2 



20 CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD. 

She felt it to be a sacred duty to foster the recollections 
of her girlhood, and to carry out the principles with which 
her father had imbued her, whether in the cultivation of 
art and science, the encouragement of art manufactures, 
of agriculture and general education, in the tasteful and 
practical arrangement of her own house, in bettering the 
condition of the lower and working classes by improving 
their homes and inculcating principles of health, economy, 
and domestic management. In short, in every way open 
to her, did the Princess try to walk in her father's footsteps, 
and so to do honour to his memory. 

It was but natural that during the first weeks of her great 
sorrow, and of her many new duties, the thought of her 
own future should have been put into the background. 
The preparations for her marriage, however, as well as for 
her household were continued, according to the known in- 
tentions of the Prince Consort. The marriage was solem- 
nised at Osborne on the 1st of July at one o'clock. The 
Archbishop of York performed the ceremony in the absence 
of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was prevented by 
illness from being present. 

Besides her sorrowing mother, the Crown Prince of 
Prussia, all her brothers and sisters, the parents and 
brothers and sister of the bridegroom, and a number of 
princely relations were present. The Duke of Saxe Coburg- 
Gotha, in the place of her father, led the bride to the altar, 
whilst the bridegroom was accompanied by his brother, 
Prince Henry. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the 
Queen withdrew to her room. The guests left the Isle of 



1843 — 1862. 21 

Wight in the afternoon, whilst the newly -married pair went 
with a small suite to St. Clare, near Eycle (belonging to 
Colonel and Lady Catherine Harcourt), where they re- 
mained three days. 

On the 9th of July Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse 
left England, accompanied by the fervent prayers and good 
wishes of a devoted people, who never forgot what their 
Princess had been to them in their hour of trouble. 

What they felt found apt expression in the following 
sonnet, which appeared in Punch at the time. 

Dear to us all by those calm earnest eyes, 

And early thought upon that fair young brow ; 

Dearer for that where grief was heaviest, thou 
Wert sunshine, till He passed where suns shall rise 
And set no more : thou, in affection wise 

And strong, wert strength to Her who even but now 

In the soft accents of thy bridal vow 
Heard music of her own heart's memories. 

Too full of love to own a thought of pride 
Is now thy gentle bosom ; so 'tis best : 

Yet noble is thy choice, English bride ! 
And England hails the bridegroom and the guest 

A friend — a friend well loved by him who died. 
He blessed your troth : your wedlock shall be blessed. 



■ In her New Home 
1862-1865 

' Our life is a very very happy one. I have nothing on 

earth to wish for To be able to make a bright and 

comfortable home for my dear husband is my constant aim ' 
iUtJi. Feh.-lst March, 1864) 



1 862 

Meanwhile sorrow had fallen on the Grand Ducal family 
of Hesse also. Some weeks before the Princess's marriage 
(May 25), the Grand Duchess of Hesse (Princess of Bavaria) 
had died — a woman beloved for her amiable and generous 
qualities, deeply regretted by her husband, the Grand Duke 
Louis HI., and mourned by all who knew her, high as 
well as low. Nevertheless, preparations had been made to 
give a brilliant reception to the newly-married pair. The 
whole country looked forward with anxiety to the arrival 
of the young Princess, of whom so much had been heard, 
and who, though English, was known to have a thoroughly 
sympathetic feeling for Germany. 

The Prince and Princess made a short stay at Brussels, 
and arrived at Bingen, on the Hessian frontier, on the 12th 
of July. 

A special train took them on to Mayence, where the 
first official reception took place. The Ehine was crossed 
in a gaily-decorated steamer, and at the last station be- 
fore Darmstadt the Grand Duke and all the family re- 
ceived the Prince and Princess and accompanied them to 
Darmstadt. 

At half-past four in the afternoon the young married 



26 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

couple made their state entry into the town through streets 
decorated with triumphal arches, flags, and flowers, amidst 
the peals of bells and the enthusiastic cheers of the assem- 
bled crowds, receiving and acknowledging the many marks 
of respect and affection with which they were greeted. 

A mounted guard of honour headed the procession. 
The schools, the different guilds, the choral societies, the 
Turnvereine (gymnastic societies), and thousands of town 
and country folk lined the streets through which the Prince 
and Princess passed. 

The impression produced upon everyone by the young 
Princess's grace and sweet maidenly beauty, and bright, 
winning, yet truly dignified, manner, was very great, and 
inspired the fairest hopes of what she would prove in her 
new home. What her own first impressions of that home 
were are given in the letters which follow. 

The circumstances of her new life were certainly very 
different from those to which she had been accustomed as 
an English Princess. What she may have felt more 
keenly, as time went on, in the small but often-recurring 
differences between English and German life, did not 
oppress her at first. She had determined to make herself 
at home in her husband's country, and she very soon con- 
trived to stamp on every room in her house the impress of 
her fine taste. That house was of the most unpretending 
character, situated in a quiet quarter of the town, near the 
palace of Prince and Princess Charles of Hesse. They had 
few servants besides those who came with them from 
England. 








y6'f/9. 



^-^^?-^^2J«^?5<2^^^o;^|<«,,?e^ii,i^ 




<:.y^€a>^£KyOV . 



1 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 27 

A short visit to her uncle at Coburg, a lengthened stay 
at Auerbach — where the Prince and Princess had a small 
country-house lent them by the Grand Duke — and excur- 
sions to Heidelberg and Carlsruhe, occupied the summer 
months. In September they went to Eheinhardtsbrunn in 
Thuringia to meet the Queen, and it was then settled that 
they should spend the winter and spring in England with 
Her Majesty. The house the Prince and Princess were 
living in at Darmstadt was so small, that plans had at once 
to be made for a new palace of their own. 

On the 10th of November they left Darmstadt, travel- 
ling by Coblenz and Cologne to Antwerp. Here the Queen's 
yacht Victoria and Albert awaited them, and brought them 
to England, where they met with a most hearty recep- 
tion from all classes. 



Beloved Mama, Koyal Yacht : July 9. 

Before leaving the yacht I must send you a few 
lines to wish you once more good-bye, and to thank you 
again and again for all 3^our kindness to us. 

My heart was very full when I took leave of you and all 
the dear ones at home ; I had not the courage to say a 
word — but your loving heart understands what I felt. 

Darmstadt : July 13. 

Yesterday, after we reached Bingen, all the Hessian 
of&cers of state received us. At every station we received 
fresh people, and had to speak to them. At Mayence also 
the beautiful Austrian band played whilst we waited, in 
pouring rain, which only ceased as we reached Darmstadt. 



28 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

The station before, the Grand Duke, Prince and Princess 
Charles with their children. Prince Alexander and his wife, 
received us — all most kind and cordial. 

At the station we were again received ; the whole town 
so prettily decked out ; the Biirger [Burgesses Escort] rode 
near our carriage; countless young ladies in white, and all 
so kind, so loyal : in all the speeches kind and touching 
allusions were made to you, and to our deep grief. I believe 
the people never gave so hearty a welcome. We two drove 
together through the town ; incessant cheering and shower- 
ing of flowers. We got out at Prince and Princess Charles's 
house, where the whole family was assembled. 

We then went to our rooms, which are very small, but 
so prettily arranged, with such perfect taste, all by my own 
dear Louis ; they look quite English. 

We then drove to Bessungen for dinner en famille. . . . 

We were listening to twelve Sangervereine [Choral 
Unions] singing together yesterday evening — two hundred 
people ; it was most beautiful, but in pouring rain. Some 
came upstairs dripping to speak to us. The Grand Duke 
gave me a fine diamond bracelet he and his wife had 
ordered for me, and showed me all over his rooms. 

To-morrow we receive the Standesherren [Princes and 
Counts] and the gentlemen of both Houses. ■ 

My thoughts, rather our thoughts, are constantly with 
you, beloved Mama. Please give my love to all at home ; 
it is impossible to write to them all. 

July 16. 

... It is extremely hot here. The last two days 
we rode out at eight in the morning in the wood, where the 
air is very pleasant, near the ground where the troops are 
drilled. On Monday we looked on, and the soldiers were so 
much flattered. 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 29 

At half past one on Monday we received the gentlemen 
of the Upper House, then the Lower House, then the Fliigel- 
adjutanten [aides-de-camp], then the Stadtvorstand [Town 
Council], then about seventy officers, then a deputation of 
the English here. All these people I had to speak to en 
grande toilette, and at four we drove to a large dinner at 
the Schloss. The Grand Duke led me, and I always sit 
near him. 

Yesterday at three the whole family drove to Seeheim, 
a lovely place in the mountains, to dinner with the Grand 
Duke. In the two villages we passed, flowers were showered 
upon us, and the Pfarrer [clergyman] made a speech. 

I am really deeply touched by the kindness and enthu- 
siasm shown by the people, which is said to be quite un- 
usual. They wait near the house to see us, and cheer 
constantly — even the soldiers. 

We then drove for tea, which is always at eight, to 
Jugenheim to Prince Alexander, whose birthday it was, and 
did not get home till 10. 

The whole family are very amiable towards me, and 
Prince Alexander is most clever and amusing. 

Darling Louis is very grateful for your kind messages. 
We talk and think of you often, and then my heart grows 
very heavy. Away from home I cannot believe that 
beloved Papa is not there ; all is so associated with him. 

Beloved Mama, juiy 19. 

Many thanks for your last kind letter, and all the 
news from home ; dear Baby [Princess Beatrice] is the 
only one you have mentioned nothing of, and I think of 
her so often. 

Some people are coming to us at one, and then the 
whole Ministerium [Administration]. It is really so diffi- 



30 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

cult to find something to say to all these people, and they 
stand there waiting to be spoken to. 

Yesterday we received a deputation from Giessen, with 
a very pretty dressing-case they brought us as a present. 

On Thursday we went incognito with Prince Alexander 
and his wife to Frankfurt. The town is decked out most 
beautifully, and countless Schiitzen [riflemen] are walking 
about in their dress. We dined at the Palais and then sat 
in the balcony. 

I have just taken leave of dear Lady Churchill and 
General Seymour.^ They have made themselves most 
popular here, and the people have been very civil to them. 

Louis and I have begun reading Westward Ho to- 
gether. 

The Grand Duke went all the way to Kranichstein for 
me the other day, and walked about till he was quite hot. 
He has forbidden my visiting the other places until his 
return, as he wishes to lead me about there himself. I do 
not see very much of the other relations save at meals; 
and, having our own carriages, we two drive together 
mostly alone. We have tea usually out of doors in some 
pretty spot we drive to. 

These lines will find you in Windsor. I went out this 
morning and tried to find some of those pretty wreaths to 
send you, but could get none. Please put one in St. 
George's^ from me. It is the first time you go to that 
hallowed spot without me ; but in thought and prayer I am 
with you. May God strengthen and soothe you, beloved 
Mama, and may you still live to find some ray of sunshine 
on your solitary path, caused by the love and virtue of his 

1 Afterwards Marquis of Hertford, who died on the 25th of January, 1884. 
- St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where the Prince Consort rested until 
removed to the Mausoleum at Frogmore. 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 31 

children, trying, however faintly, to follow his glorious 
example ! 

I do strive earnestly and cheerfully to do my duty in 
my new life, and to do all that is right, which is but doing 
w^hat dear Papa would have wished. 

July 20. 

Thousand thanks for your dear long letter of the 
18th just received. How well do I understand your feelings ! 
I was so sad myself yesterday, and had such intense long- 
ing after a look, a word from beloved Papa ! I could bear 
it no longer. Yet how much worse is it not for you ! You 
know, though, dear Mama, he is watchmg over you, waiting 
for you. The thought of the future is the one sustaining, 
encouraging point for all. * They who sow in tears shall 
reap in joy ; ' and great joy will be yours hereafter, dear 
Mama, if you continue following that bright example. . . . 

We usually get up about a quarter or half past seven, 
and take some coffee at eight. Then we either go out till 
ten or remain at home, and till twelve I write and arrange 
what I have to do. 

At one, when we return from breakfast, we usually read 
together. I have still a great many people to see, and they 
usually come at two. 

At four is dinner, and at half past five we are usually 
back here, and occupy ourselves till six or seven, then drive 
out somewhere for tea at eight, walk about and return at 
a quarter or half past ten. We do not waste our time, I 
assure you, and Louis has a good deal to do at this moment. 

Mr. Theed's bust of dear Papa must be very lovely. I 
am curious to hear what you think of Marochetti's.^ It will 
be very sad for you to see. 

^ The recumbent statue of the Prince Consort, now in the Mausoleum at 
Frogmore. 



32 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

A fortnight already I am here, and away from my dear 
home three weeks ! How much I shall have to tell you 
when we meet. My own dear Mama, I do love you so 
much ! You know, though silent, my love and devotion to 
you is deep and true. If I could relinquish part of my 
present happiness to restore to you some of yours, with a 
full heart would I do it ; but God's will be done ! God 
sustain my precious mother ! is the hourly prayer of her 
loving and sympathising child. 

July 24. 

. . . You tell me to speak to you of my happiness — 
our happiness. You will understand the feeling which made 
me silent towards you, my own dear bereaved Mother, on 
that point ; but you are unselfish and loving and can enter 
into my happiness, though I could never have been the 
first to tell you how intense it is, when it must draw the 
painful contrast between your past and present existence. 
If I say I love my dear husband, that is scarcely enough — 
it is a love and esteem which increases daily, hourly ; which 
he also shows to me by such consideration, such tender 
loving ways. What was life before to what it has become 
now ? There is such blessed peace being at his side, being 
his wife ; there is such a feeling of security ; and we two 
have a world of our own when we are together, which 
nothing can touch or intrude upon. My lot is indeed a 
blessed one; and yet what have I done to deserve that 
warm, ardent love, which my darling Louis ever shows 
me ? I admire his good and noble heart more than I can 
say. How he loves you, you know, and he will be a good 
son to you. He reads to me every day out of Westward 
Ho, which I think very beautiful and interesting. 

This morning I breakfasted alone, as he went out with 
his regiraent. I always feel quite impatient until I hear 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 33 

his step coming upstairs, and see his dear face when he 
returns. 

Yesterday, and the previous night, I thought of you 
constantly, and of our last journey together to dear 
Balmoral. Sad, painful though it was, I liked so much 
being with you, trying to bear some of your load of sorrow 
with you. From here I share all as if I were really by 
your side ; and I think so many fervent prayers cannot 
be offered to a merciful loving God without His sending al- 
leviation and comfort. 

Please remember me to Grant, Brown, and all of them 
at home in dear Scotland, and tell them how much I wish, 
and Louis also, that we were there, changed though every- 
thing is. 

July 25. 

. . . People say we may still have the Palais, but I 
doubt it. I am going to tell the Grand Duke that we 
return to England in autumn (not only for your sake, but 
principally because I do not wish to incommode our parents 
any longer, and because in the winter we could not even 
receive people here). 

The only thing I shall regret in our not remaining here 
is, that the people feel it so much, and they are most 
kind ; but they will see and understand that it cannot be 
otherwise, and that it does not arise from ill will on our 
part. 

. . . Cecile and Michael '* were here yesterday, so kind 
and so full of real sympathy towards you, which they begged 
me to express to you. He has such warm feelings ; and 
they admired and loved dear Papa, though they saw him 
but little. 

■* Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Michael of Eussia. The Grand Duke 
Michael is uncle of the present Emperor of Eussia. 



34 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

Darmstadt : August 1. 

. . . My heart feels ready to burst when I think of 
such sorrow as yours. I pray my adored Louis may long- 
be spared to me. If you only knew how dear, how loving 
he is to me, and how he watches over me, dear darling ! 

To-morrow we go to Coburg, which was an old promise. 
Dear Uncle sent only two days ago to say he left Coburg 
on the 5th, and would we not come before ? You will 
understand that, happy beyond measure as I am to go 
there, a lump always comes into my throat when I think 
of it — going for the first time with Louis to dear Papa's 
house, where but recently he showed us everything him- 
self.^ Dear Mama, I think I can scarcely bear it — the 
thought seems so hard and cruel. He told us as children 
so much of Coburg, spoke to us of it with such childlike 
affection, enjoyed so much telling us every anecdote con- 
nected with each spot ; and now these silent spots seem 
to plead for his absence. 

To see the old Baron [Stockmar] will be a great happi- 
ness, and that Louis should make his acquaintance. 

Calenberg bei Coburg : August 4. 

Once more in dear Coburg, and you can fancy with 
what feelings. Everything reminds me of beloved Papa 
and of our last happy visit. 

We are living here, and yesterday we spent all the 
afternoon and dined at the Eosenau. It was a lovely day, 
and the view so beautiful. We went all over the house 
and walked about in the grounds. We walked to dear 
Papa's little garden, and I picked two flowers there for 
you, which I enclose. 

^ Tliis was in the autumn of 1860. 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 35 

Every spot brought up the remembrance of something 
dear Papa had told us of his childhood ; it made me so sad, 
I can't tell you. Uncle Ernest was also sad, but so kind 
and affectionate, and they both seemed so pleased at our 
having come. 

Everything about dear Papa's illness, and then of the 
sad end, I had to tell. I lived the whole dreadful time 
over again, and wonder, whilst I speak of it, that we ever 
lived through it. 

At nine o'clock Church service was in the pretty little 
chapel. Holzei read, and Superintendent Meyer preached 
a most beautiful sermon, the text being where our Saviour 
told His disciples they must become as a little child to 
enter into the kingdom of heaven. He spoke with his 
usual fervour, and it was most impressive. I saw him 
afterwards, and he enquired very much after you. 

We are going after breakfast to the Festung, and then 
Louis and I are going to see the dear Baron [Stockmar] . 

Dear beloved Mama, Darmstadt : August 6. 

Can you give me no ray of hope that you in some 
way, bodily or mentally, feel better ? It makes my heart 
ache bitterly, to hear those sad accounts you give of your- 
self, though I well know what for you life without Jiim must 
be ! God comfort you ! is my constant prayer. 

We saw the dear old Baron for some time. The meet- 
ing was sad on both sides ; he was very kind, but so de- 
sponding as to everything ! In England and abroad he 
looks at everything in a black light, and was full of com- 
plaints about himself. He asked much after you, and is 
anxious to see you again. 



D 2 



36 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

August 9. 

Next Monday we are going to Auerbach, to live there 
for a little time. It lies in the Bergstrasse, and is very 
healthy. The Grand Duke allows us to inhabit one of the 
houses. 

August 16. 

. . . How I long to read what Mr. Helps has written 
about Papa ! What can it be but beautiful and elevating, 
if he has rightly entered into the spirit of that pure and 
noble being ? ^ 

Oh, Mama ! the longing I sometimes have for dear Papa 
surpasses all bounds. In thought he is ever present and 
near me ; still we are but mortals, and as such at times long 
for him also. Dear, good Papa ! Take courage, dear 
Mama, and feel strong in the thought that you require all 
your moral and physical strength to continue the journey 
which brings you daily nearer to Home and to Him ! I 
know how weary you feel, how you long to rest your head 
on his dear shoulder, to have him to soothe your aching 
heart. You will find this rest again, and how blessed will it 
not be ! Bear patiently and courageously your heavy 
burden, and it will lighten imperceptibly as you near him, 
and God's love and mercy will support you. Oh, could my 
feeble words bring you the least comfort ! They come from 
a trusting, true and loving heart, if from naught else. 

Auerbacli : August 16. 

. . . We do feel for you so deeply and would wish 
so much to help you, but there is but One who can do that, 
and you know whom to seek. He will give you strength to 
live on till the bright day of reunion. . . . 

^ This refers to Mr,, afterwards Sir, Arthur Helps's Introduction to the 
Collected Addresses and Speeches of the Prince Consort, which was then 
about to be published (Murray, 1862). 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 37 

Auerbach : August 21. 

. . . Our visit to Giessen ^ went off very well. The 
people were most loyal. We went to see the Gymnasts, 
and Louis walked about amongst them, which pleased them 
very much. He is very popular there, and I am very glad 
we both went, for it made a good impression. 

We drove to Louis' property, Stauffenberg, a beautiful 
(alas ! ruined) castle, which by degrees he is having restored, 
and which will be a charming house for us, if it is finished, 
which can only be done gradually. 

Auerbach : August 23. 

. . . Try and gather in the few bright things you 
have remaining and cherish them, for though faint, yet 
they are types of that infinite joy still to come. I am sure, 
dear Mama, the more you try to appreciate and to find the 
good in that which God in His love has left you, the more 
worthy you will daily become of that which is in store. 
That earthly happiness you had is indeed gone for ever, 
but you must not think that every ray of it has left you. 
You have the privilege, which dear Papa knew so well how 
to value, in your exalted position, of doing good and living 
for others, of carrying on his plans, his wishes into fulfil- 
ment, and as you go on doing your duty, this will, this 
must, I feel sure, bring you peace and comfort. Forgive 
me, darling Mama, if I speak so openly ; but my love for 
you is such that I cannot be silent, when I long so fer- 
vently to give you some slight comfort and hope in your 
present life. 

I have known and watched your deep sorrow with a 
sympathising, though aching heart. Do not think that 
absence from you can still that pain. My love for you is 

^ During a Musical and Gymnastic Festival. 



38 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

strong, is constant ; I would like to shelter you in my arms, 
to protect you from all future anxiety, to still your aching 
longing ! My own sweet Mama, you know I would give my 
life for you, could I alter what you have to bear ! 

Trust in God ! ever and constantly. In my life I feel 
that to be my stay and my strength, and the feeling in- 
creases as the days go on. My thoughts of the future are 
bright, and this always helps to make the minor worries 
and sorrows of the present dissolve before the warm rays 

of that light which is our guide. 

Auerbach : August 25. 

. . . To-day is the Ludwigstag, a day kept through- 
out the country, and on which every Ludwig receives pre- 
sents, &c. ; but we spend it quite quietly. Louis' parents 
and the others are coming to breakfast, and remain during 
the day. Louis is out riding. We always get up early. 
He rides whilst I write, and we then walk together and 
breakfast somewhere out of doors. 

We went to the little church here yesterday, which is 
very old, and they sang so well. 

I drew out of doors also, as it was very fine ; but it is 
very difficult, as it is all green, and the trees are my mis- 
fortune, as I draw them so badly. I play sometimes with 
Christa ; ® she plays very well. 

August 26 [Prince Consort's Birthday] . 

With a heavy heart do I take up my pen to write 
to you to-day — this dear day, now so sad, save through 
its bright recollections. I cannot bear to think of it now, 
with no one to bring our wishes to, with that painful silence 
where such mirth and gaiety used to be. It is very hard 
to bear, and the first anniversary is like the commencement 
of a new eiDOch in our deep sorrow. 

8 The Princess's lady, Baroness Christa Schenk. 



1 862 IN HER NEW HOME. 



39 



Wlien your dear present was brought to me this 
mornmg, I could not take my eyes from it, though they 
were bhnded with tears. Oh, those beautiful, those loved 
features ! There wants but his kind look and word to 
make the picture alive ! Thousand thanks for it, dear 
Mama. 

How trying this day will be for you ! My thoughts are 
constantly with you, and I envy the privilege the others 
have in being near you and being able to do the least thing 
for you. 

The sun shines brightly in the still blue sky ; how 
bright and peaceful it must be where our dear Spirit dwells, 
if it is already so beautiful here. 

September 5. 

. . . Two days ago, Louis and I went to Worms. 
Whilst he went to his regiment, which the Grand Duke 
came to inspect, I went to the Dom, which is most beauti- 
ful ; and then went in a little boat on the Ehine, which was 
charming. It took us, driving, an hour and a half from 
Auerbach to Worms. 

Auerbach : September 7. 

. . . For Louis' birthday we are going to Darm- 
stadt ; it is getting cold and damp here, and the house is 
small. We take our meals in another house, and it is cold 
to walk over there of an evening. Think of us on the 12th. 
It was such a happy day last year.^ 

I have such Heiimveh [yearning] after beloved Papa ; it 
is dreadful sometimes when I think of him and of our home. 
But he is so happy in his bright home, could we but catch 
a glimpse of him there. Dear Grandmama [the Duchess of 
Kent], too, is constantly in my thoughts lately. I can see 

^ Prince Louis was then at Balmoral. 



40 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

her before me — so dear, kind, and merry. As time goes 
on, such things only mingle themselves more vividly with 
one's usual life ; for it is their life which is nearest us again, 
and not their death, which casts such a gloom over their 
remembrance. 

Auerbaeh : September 11. 

. . . How beautiful Heidelberg is ! we went all over 
the Castle, and with such glorious weather. There is one 
side still standing, built and decorated by a pupil of Michael 
Angelo, which dear Papa admired so much. How do I 
miss not being able to talk to beloved Papa of all I see, 
hear, feel, and think ! His absence makes such a gap in 
my existence. 

Darmstadt : October 13. 

. . . Our visit to Baden was charming, and dear 
Fritz and Louise ^ so kind ! Louis and I were both delighted 
by our visit. The Queen, the Duchess of Hamilton, and 
Grand Duchess Helene were there, besides dear Aunt [Prin- 
cess Hohenlohe], and Countess Bliicher. The two latter, 
dear and precious as ever. 

We left yesterday morning ; spent three hours with 
Grand Duchess Sophie, who is the most agreeable, clever, 
amiable person one can imagine. It gave me real pleasure 
to make her acquaintance. Aunt Feodore's house, though 
small, is really very pretty, and her rooms are hung full of 
pictures. I saw Winterhalter also, in his lovely new house, 
which he has gone and sold, saying it was too good for him. 
He has painted a most beautiful picture of the Grand 
Duchess Helene — quite speaking. 

... I am going to make my will before leaving. I do 
not like leaving (for England) without having done some- 
thing. 

^ Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden. 



i862 IN HER NEW HOME. 41 

Darmstadt : October 17. 

First of all, thousand thanks from Louis and me for 
your having allowed dear Arthur ^ to come to us. I cannot 
tell you what pleasure it has been to me to have that dear 
child a little bit. He has won all hearts, and I am so 
jproud when they admire my little brother, who is a mixture 
of you and adored Papa. 

Darmstadt : October 23. 

. . . We intend probably leaving this on Saturday, 
the 8th, remaining until the 10th at Coblenz, from whence 
we go direct in eleven hours and three-quarters to Antwerp, 
leaving Antwerp the morning of the 12th, to reach Windsor 
that evening or the next morning. 

We always continue reading together, and have read 
Hypatia, a most beautiful, most interesting, and very 
learned and clever book, which requires great attention. 

I have the great bore to read the newspapers every day, 
which I must do ; see Dr. Becker ^ from eleven to twelve ; 
then I write, and have constantly people to see, so that I 
have scarcely any time to draw or to play. I also read 
serious books to myself. 

Louis would like to go to Leeds and Manchester from 
Osborne, as he wants to go to London from Windsor. I 
shall accompany him sometimes. 

October 25. 

As you come later to Windsor, we shall not leave till 
the lOth, remain the 11th with the Queen, then go direct 
to Antwerp. If the weather is bad w^e shall wait. Then 
on the 14th or 15th we shall be at Windsor, which we pre- 
fer to coming to Osborne. We hope this will suit you. 
All are full of lamentations at our departure, and for so 

2 Duke of Connaught, then twelve years old. 
^ The Princess Alice's private secretary. 



42 IN HER NEW HOME. 1862 

long, which is most natural ; but they are very kind. We 
have a family dinner in our little room to-day, which is 
large enough for a few people. The Grand Duke has quite 
lost his heart to Arthur, and Bertie [Prince of Wales] 
pleased him also very much. 

In talking together last night, Louis said what I feel so 
often, that he always felt as if it must come right again 
some time, and we should find dear Papa home again. In 
another home we shall. 

October 30. 

The Grand Duke was quite overcome when I gave 
him the photographs, and with Baby's [Princess Beatrice's] 
he is quite enchanted, and wishes me to tell you how grate- 
ful he is, and how much he thanks you. You cannot think 
hoiv pleased he was, and the more so that you sent them 
him. He has a warm heart and feels very much for you, 
and takes warm interest in all my brothers and sisters. 

I am glad you are going to see dear Fritz of Baden ; he 
will be so pleased. We shall see Louise at Coblenz. 

The plans for our house are come, and even the sim- 
plest is far above what we poor mortals can build. 

November 6. 

. . . Yesterday, Mrs. Combe, widow of George Combe 
and daughter of Mrs. Siddons, came to see me and was 
some time with me. Such a clever, amiable old lady. It 
gave me such pleasure to see and talk with her. Will you 
tell Sir James Clark so, as she is an old friend of his ? 



IN HER NEW HOME. 43 



1863 

Each visit to her old home seemed to give fresh Hfe to 
Princess Alice, and it can therefore be easily understood 
how great her ha^Dpiness was at being again under her 
mother's roof and care, there to await the realisation of her 
fondest hopes. 

It was also a great comfort to the Princess to spend the 
first anniversary of her father's death with her family 
around her. 

On the 18th of December, 1862, the remains of the 
Prince Consort were placed in a temporary sarcophagus, 
in the centre of the newly-erected mausoleum at Frog- 
more in the presence of the Prince of Wales, Prince Arthur, 
Prince Leopold and Prince Louis of Hesse. 

Prince Louis occupied much of his time during his long 
stay in England in making a number of interesting visits 
to the chief industrial centres, and to the military arsenals 
and depots. 

Princess Alice met with a carriage accident on the last 
day of the old year, which happily was followed by no bad 
consequences. 

On the 10th of March, 1863, the Prince of Wales was 



44 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

married to the Princess Alexandra of Denmark at St. 
George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the presence of the 
whole Eoyal family. It was the first Eoyal marriage 
which had been celebrated in that chapel since the mar^ 
riage of Henry I. in 1122. 

Soon after, on Easter Sunday, the 5th of April, 1863, 
Princess Louis of Hesse gave birth to a daughter at Wind- 
sor Castle. This event was made known next day at 
Darmstadt by the firing of twenty- one guns. The best 
possible news continued to be received of the well-doing of 
mother and child. 

The little Princess was christened on the 27th of April 
at Windsor by the Hessian Court chaplain, Bender. She 
received the names of Victoria Alberta Elizabeth Matilda. 
The Princes Alexander and Henry of Hesse represented the 
Grand Ducal family at the christening. 

Princess Alice completed her recovery during a stay 
at Osborne in May, and while there was able to accom- 
pany the Queen on a visit to the Military Hospital at 
Netley. 

After a short stay in London, Prince and Princess Louis 
of Hesse and then- little daughter returned to Darmstadt. 
They spent the summer months at Kranichstein, a shooting- 
lodge near Darmstadt, belonging to the Grand Duke. The 
Princess employed her time in becoming better acquainted 
with her adopted country, its inhabitants, their customs, 
and ways of thinking. 

The Congress of German Potentates and Princes at 
Frankfort in August brought the Princess in contact with 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 45 

many crowned heads. She proved herself her father's true 
child m regard to politics. The Prince Consort had always 
longed for an united Germany, with Prussia at its head, 
and a Liberal Constitution. Princess Alice's letters will show 
how truly German her feelings were in the Schleswig Holstein 
question, which at that time, owing to the death of King 
Frederick YII. of Denmark, and the claims made by his suc- 
cessor, King Christian IX., to the succession in the Duchies 
also, assumed a European interest, and led to consequences 
of permanent importance in the history of Europe. The 
accounts of the manner in which the Prince and Princess 
Louis endeavoured to fulfil their social duties throw a signi- 
ficant light upon the way in which the young Princess dis- 
charged her duties as the mistress of her home. 

Li August the Princess met Queen Victoria at Coburg ; 
and afterwards had the happiness of receiving Her Majesty 
and her sisters Helena, Louise and Beatrice, and her 
brother Alfred, on a short visit at Kranichstein. 

A few weeks later the Prince and Princess with their 
child joined the Queen at Balmoral, where nearly all the 
members of the Eoyal family were assembled. 

In November they returned to Darmstadt, w^here, during 
their absence, the new palace had made rapid progress, 
and was roofed in. It was built on a site given by the 
Grand Duke, and after plans designed by the Princess 
herself. The arrangement of the interior was entirely 
carried out by herself in a manner both practical and 
artistic. 

In December, Prince Louis' only sister, Anna, was 



46 . IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

engaged to be married to the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin, an event which gave great satisfaction at the 
time. The Princess spent her first Christmas in Germany 
this year — 1863. 



Dearest Mama, Marlborough House : May 14. 

Our parting this morning was most painful to both 
of us — from you to whom we owe so much, and whom we 
love so dearly. 

May God comfort and support you, beloved Mama, on 
your sad and weary pilgrimage ! 

Marlborough House : May 16. 

I could not get your dear face and your sweet voice 
out of my mind for an instant, and everywhere I thought 
I must see you or dear Papa. It seemed so strange ; I had 
the tears in my eyes all day. The worst was the Opera, for 
I had never been without you or Papa, and all was the 
same and yet so different ! It was very trying to me ; and 
so will the Drawing-room be to-day. ... I saw Lady 
Jocelyn, Duchess of Manchester, Sir Charles Locock, and 
Lord Alfred Paget, to show them Baby, and all find her like 
what we all were. How much ice have to thank for in 
her name. Your affection for her and all you have done 
for her have touched us more than I can say. It seemed to 
me quite wrong to take her from you. 

On Wednesday, Alix [Princess of Wales] and myself go 
to the studios. This morning we drove in Battersea Park. 

May 19. 

. . . The Drawing-room was long, but Alix and I 
were not so tired, considering the length of time, for we 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 47 

stood, excepting twenty minutes, in the middle, when there 
was a block and the people could not come. 

In to-day's letter you mention again your wish that we 
should soon be with you again. Out of the ten months of 
our married life five have been spent under your roof, so 
you see how ready we are to be with you. Before next 
year Louis does not think we shall be able to come ; at any 
rate when we can we shall, and I hope we shall be able to 
see you for a day or two in Germany to divide the time. 

Darmstadt : May 23. 

. . . Baby ^ has been so much admired, and all the 
clothes you gave her. 

Darmstadt : May. 

1 shan't have time to write more than a few words, as 
we have just returned from church, and are going to May- 
ence till Wednesday. The Grand Duke came all the way 
to Kranichstein yesterday to go about with us, and see 
how to arrange it comfortably. He is most kind, and sat 
an hour with me. 

We have received two deputations this morning, and 
my things, which ought to have been here before us, only 
arrived to-day. 

Mayence : June 2. 

There was a large dinner yesterday; the Nassaus 
dined here, and this morning we have been to Biebrich. 
The Duke and Duchess, Nicolas Nassau, Marianne of Prussia,^ 
her sister the Duchess of Altenburg, and Landgrave 
William were there. They were most kind and civil. We 
hurried back in time for dinner. The Grand Duke is most 
kind, has taken me everywhere about himself — into the 
Dom, into several shops, &c. 

* Princess Victoria of Hesse. 

2 Princess Frederick Charles, mother of the Duchess of Connaught. 



48 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

Now when I return I shall have to unpack and pack 
again for Kranichstein, and arrange the house there, which 
has not been lived in for eighty years, so that for writing I 
have barely a moment. 

I have good accounts of Baby, whom all the old gentle- 
men run out of their houses to look at, when she walks in 
the garden, and try to tell Moffat [her nurse] what they 
think of her, but she of course understands nothing. 



Darmstadt : June 3. 

I write to you to-day, as Louis is going for all day to 
Worms to-morrow, and I am going to Jugenheim to Uncle 
Alexander. It is already warm here, and we are going in a 
day or two into the country. 

The Queen of Prussia passes through here to-day, and 
I shall probably hear from, her what her intentions are 
about England. I have received a splendid bracelet from 
the Empress of Kussia — for Baby's picture. She is said to 
be far from well. 

Darmstadt : June 6. 

. . . Louis was away from four o'clock yesterday 
morning till eleven at night. He was at Worms with Uncle 
Louis. Tuesday is his birthday, and we shall very likely 
go on Monday to Mayence, as Uncle Louis is always wish- 
ing for us. 

I took a walk at Jugenheim yesterday with Uncle Alex- 
ander, his wife and children, of more than two hours, and 
it was so beautiful, and numberless little birds singing. 
Uncle Alexander was so grateful for all your kindness, and 
was above all so charmed with you. It always makes me 
so happy to be able to talk about you, and to hear you 
appreciated as you ought to be, darling Mama. 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 49 

June 8. 
. . . Baby sits up quite strong, and looks about and 
laughs. She has got on wonderfully, and she is so good. 
She was an hour with us yesterday evening wide awake, 
and so good. She is as well and as strong as any child 
could be. To-day we go to Mainz, and to-morrow night 
from thence to Kranichstein. All our beds must be moved 
meanwhile, as there are none in the house. 

Kranichstein : June 12. 

Louis went at six this morning to Darmstadt for 
the inspection of his regiment by Uncle Louis. Princess 
Charles's birthday is on the 18th. The Grand Duke will 
be at Friedberg, and we are to go for the day, which 
will be rather tiring, as it is a good way by rail and back 
again, and we have to wait an hour at Frankfort. 

Louis is going to take his seat in the Chamber on the 
23rd. He was unable to do so last year, as we left for 
England two days before the time. 

June 19. 

. . . You ask me again if I occupy myself much 
and seriously ? Not a moment of the day is wasted, and I 
have enough to read and to think about : what with the 
many and different papers, and interesting books. Dr. 
Becker comes daily, and I have a good deal to look after. 

We have a dinner to-day — Prince and Princess Charles, 
Uncle Adalbert, Anna, William, and the suites* 

June 23. 

. . . You will be amused to hear that I have taken 
a little black (a Malay) into my service. He is a dear good 
boy, was brought over two years ago by a gentleman, to 
whom he was given away by his own parents as a m^rk of 
gratitude for some service done. This man has had him 

E 



50 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

here two years, but has never had him taught anything. 
He has no rehgion, and can neither read nor write. I am 
going to have him taught, and, later, christened. He is very 
intelHgent, thirteen years old. 

We shall remain here for the present ; we go about a 
good deal seeing things near by, and then it is the first 
time we have our household and stable, so that on account 
of Haushaltung [housekeeping] , &c., we are going to remain 
here for a little time. It is very pleasant besides, and con- 
stant moving is far too expensive for us. We give dinners 
here, which are also useful, as I know so few people. Some 
of the Standesherren are coming to-morrow, and later some 
of the Abgeordneten [Deputies] of the Second Chamber, 
which will give us an opportunity of making the acquaint- 
ance of some of the Liberals in the country. 

I cannot get rid of my rheumatism, which is so un- 
pleasant. 

Louis is very busy ; he reads to me sometimes out of 
Lord Macaulay's last volume of the English History, which 
I had not yet read. Twice a week Louis takes drill with his 
cavalry regiment, and he has to ride out at six in the morn- 
ing, as it is some way off. 

June 27. 

... I bathe every morning and swim about ; there 
is a nice little bathing-house. 

I hear Baby shrieking out of doors ; she does not cry 
very much, but she is very passionate. She was vaccinated 
two days ago by Dr. Weber, and I am going to be done 
next week ; the small-pox is at Darmstadt, and a man died 
of it yesterday. Louis is very industrious and busy ; he 
has all the papers of the Stande [State papers] to read and 
look through, and reads other useful books, besides papers 
and other things which he must read. He wrote to Lord 



l863 IN HER NEW HOME. 51 

Derby to express his thanks for having been made a Doctor 
at Oxford. He takes a great deal of exercise, riding, 
walking, rowing, swimming. We get up at six every 
morning and go to bed after ten. 

Louis has always a good deal to do at home, and a good 
many things which would never be expected of him in Eng- 
land. He knows the necessity and importance of working. 
I hope next month Uncle Ernest ^ will come to us for a day 
on his way back from Homburg. He has asked us for a 
few days to the Calenberg whilst you are in Germany, and 
then in the winter we hope to be for a few days at Gotha. 

The Llitzows,* and Miss Seymour dine with us to-day. 

June 30. 

Lady Fife is at Homburg, and is coming to dine 
with us. To-morrow all the family and some other people 
come to dinner. We have seen a good many people ; we 
receive in the morning or for dinner. 

Dalwigk gave a large soiree in the woods, with a supper, 
for us last night. All the Standesherren and Foreign Mini- 
sters were there. 

To-morrow is our dear wedding-day. With what grati- 
tude do I look back to that commencement of such happiness, 
and such real and true love, which even daily increases in 
my beloved husband. Oh ! may we not be deprived of it 
too soon ! I admire and respect him for his true-hearted, 
generous, unselfish, and just nature ! Oh, dear Mama, 
if you only knew how excellent he is ! I wish I were good 
like him, for he is free from any selfish, small or un- 
charitable feelings. You should see how he is beloved by 

3 Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. 

* Count Lutzow was at this time the Austrian Minister and Plenipo- 
tentiary at the Court of Darmstadt. 

B 2 



52 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

all his people ; our servants adore him. I open my heart 
to you, who have so warm and sympathising a heart, that 
even in the midst of such deep grief and sorrow as yours 
will listen to what your children, who love you so dearly, 
long to say. 

Our little one is grown so pretty ; she has little pink 
cheeks, and is so fat and so good-humoured. I often think 
her like you when she smiles. 

July 2. 

You can fancy how much we thought of this day last 
year, and of you and all the love and kindness you showed 
us then. How truly we both love you, and, when we can, 
how willingly we shall come to your side, and be of the 
least use to you, you know, for I feel for you and with you, 
more than words can describe. 

Our first large dinner yesterday went off very well. We 
make our arrangements, sitting, &c., all as you and dear 
Papa had it, which is new here, but, I am happy to say, 
approved of. We always dine at four. Baby appeared 
afterwards, and really never cries when she is shown, but 
smiles, and seems quite amused. She is immensely ad- 
mired, particularly for her healthy appearance and fine 
large eyes. I really think her like you now ; she is very 
much changed, and, when she sits up, looks so pretty and 
dear. 

To-day we have again a dinner. There is a fine dining- 
room and drawing-room here, so that we can see a good 
many people. 

July 4. 

Shortly we are going to pay Prince Solms-Lich, the 
president of the First Chamber, a visit. He is very liberal 
on the whole, rich, and a nice old gentleman. He knew 
Grandpapa in the year 1820, also Uncle Charles, Uncle 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 53 

Hohenlohe, Aunt Feodore, and Eliza. Lady Fife, Annie, 
and Mr. Corbett from Frankfort are coming to us to-day. 

The Grand Duke of Weimar was here yesterday for 
dinner at the Schloss. 

What you say about Germany is so true ; and Louis has 
the real good of his country near at heart. They always have 
to vote for or against what the Second Chamber brings 
forward, and the other day a vote was sent in from the 
Liberals for an alteration of a Press Law. Only one voice 
in the whole Chamber was for it, which was Louis', and 
this produced a very good effect among the Liberals. He 
is no coward, and will say what he thinks, if it is necessary, 
even if all are against him. 

Kranichstein : July 15. 

To-day is Uncle Alexander's birthday, and we have 
to drive for dinner to Seeheim. To-morrow morning we 
leave for Lich at five in the morning. 

Two nights ago a horrid and schaicerliches [appalling] 
event took place here. I went out about eight down to the 
pond, which is close to the house, to meet Louis. I met an 
odd-looking pale man, who neither bowed nor looked about, 
walking slowly along ; and when I joined Louis he asked 
me if I had seen him, as he had been prowling about all 
the afternoon. We stopped a little longer, when at the end 
our grooms were running. We rowed on to see what was 
the matter, and on coming near, a body was floating in the 
water, the face already quite blue and lifeless. I recognised 
him at once. Louis and the others with trouble fished him 
out and laid him in our boat to bring him on shore. It 
was very horrid to see. We brought him on shore, tried 
all means to restore him to life, but of no avail. He was 
carried into the stable. He had committed suicide, and we 
heard afterwards that he was a very bad character. You 



54 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

can fancy that it was very unpleasant to me, to have that 
disfigured corpse next me in the boat : and it haunts me 
now — for a violent death leaves frightful traces, so unlike 
anything else. But half or quarter of an hour before, I had 
passed that man in life, and so shortly after to see him 
floating by quite lifeless ! It brings death before one in its 
worst form, when one sees a had man die by his own hand. 
The indifference with which the other people treated it, 
and dragged him along, was also revolting to one's feelings ; 
but one must be manly, and not mind those things ; yet I 
own it made me rather sick, and prevented my sleep that 
night. 

I am glad we are going away for a few days ; the change 
will be pleasant. 

It was such a pleasure to me to have seen dear Lady 
Frances Baillie the other day, and she was looking well, 
though she is very thin. 

You kindly gave me our dear Papa's Farm Book for 
the Farmers' Union here ; the people are so touched and 
pleased. I send you the letter of thanks to read. 

Lich : July 18. 

. . . We leave to-morrow afternoon for Frankfort, 
and the next day we go to Homburg on the way home. 
The Prince and Princess are most kind and civil; they 
have a fine Schloss, and are rich. The latter is clever and 
amiable, and the young people — their nephews and nieces 
— are very nice and very kind. It is a fine rich country, 
and they seem very much beloved. The sister of the Prin- 
cess, Princess Solms-Laubach, nee Biidingen, is here also. 
Her husband was in the Prussian service, and they lived at 
Bonn whilst dear Papa was there. He came to see them 
and to spend the evening there very often. She told me 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 55 

how handsome he then was, and how much praised and 
Hked by all. She asked after Eath Florschiitz,^ after Eos,® 
and if dear Papa continued later on to be so sleepy of an 
evening, as he was even then. 

Kranichstein : July 21. 

Our visit at Lich went off very well. Everything is 
so * vornehm ' [in such good style] and so well arranged. 

July 23. 

We are going to give Heinrich ^ a rendezvous some- 
where, perhaps at Kreuznach, which is not very far. On 
August 1 we are going to the north of the country — a part 
which I do not know — and on the way we stop at Giessen, 
where we have been invited to see an Agricultural Exhibi- 
tion. On Monday we give a tea and a dance — between fifty 
and sixty people. The advantage of this place is its near- 
ness to Darmstadt, and that there is room enough to receive 
people. 

The Eussian and French ambassadors, with their wives, 
and Mr. Corbett and Lord Eobert S. Kerr, dine with us 
to-day. 

July 27. 

I have no news to give. To-night we give our first 
large party — seventy people. 

August 1. 

Yesterday we were all day at Eumpenheim : so 
kindly received ! The Landgrave, his two brothers Frederic 
and George, the Dowager Duchess of Mecklenburg- Strelitz, 
her daughter Duchess Caroline, Aunt Cambridge, Mary, 
Augusta and Adolphus ; Fritz and Anna of Hesse and good 

5 Tutor of Prince Consort during his boyhood and early youth. 
® A favourite greyhound of the Prince Consort's, which he brought to 
England at the time of his marriage. 

"^ Prince Henry of Hesse, brother of Prince Louis. . 



56 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

Princess Louise, kindness itself. Aunt Cambridge was 
very amiable, and spoke most tenderly of you. To-morrow 
morning Louis goes to Oberhessen, where I join him in two 
days. I go to see Uncle Alexander at Jugenheim ; go on 
Monday to Friedberg, where there is an asylum for blind 
people, of which I am Protectorin [Patroness]. I go to 
see it, and sleep at the Castle. The next day I stop on my 
road to see Marburg, and shall be in the evening at Alsfeld, 
where I find Louis. The next day I go on to Herr von 
Eiedesel at Altenburg, where I breakfast, and I dine and 
spend the night with another Eiedesel family at Eisenbach. 
Louis joins me that evening. The next day we go on 
through the country, as the people are anxious to see us, 
and the country is very beautiful. On Thursday and 
Friday we shall be at Giessen, on Saturday at home. 

Giessen : August 7. 

I am very hot and tired ; we have only just reached 
this place, and have to go out almost immediately to see 
the animals and machines. 

Our journey has been most prosperous, but rather 
tiring, and the heat quite fearful. We were most kindly 
received everywhere. English, Hessian, German flags 
everywhere, and * Gesangvereine ' of an evening. 

Last night we slept at Schotten, and posted from thence 
to-day through a lovely, rich, wooded and mountainous 
district, the Vogelsberg. 

We have had but one room everywhere, and have re- 
mained only long enough at a place to see it, so that writing 
has been impossible. To-morrow evening we return to 
Kranichstein, and then I will write to you an account of 
everything. Here, with no time, and such heat and noise, 
it is impossible. 



1863 IN HER NEW HOME. 57 

Kranichstein : August 9. 

. . . We went, when I last wrote to you at Giessen, 
to see the different machines at work, in a crowd close round 
us and a smothering heat. It was interesting, though, in 
spite of all. The people cheered and were very civil. That 
day, at the meeting of the agriculturists, Count Laubach 
told me dear Papa's book lay on the table, and is of the 
greatest use and interest. I am so pleased to have been the 
first in Germany to make known something of Papa's know- 
ledge in this science, one of the many in which dear Papa 
excelled. The people are so grateful to you for having sent 
it. In the evening the president and some other scientific 
gentlemen came to tea with us. I was so glad to see how 
pleased the people were at the interest Louis takes in these 
things. A procession was really very pretty ; large carts, 
decorated with the different agricultural emblems, peasants 
in their different costumes — it was something quite new to 
me. 

At Marburg, I saw in the beautiful church the grave of 
St. Elizabeth, the castle where she lived, and many other 
things which Kingsley mentions in his Saint's Tragedy. 

This week the Emperor of Austria and other potentates 
came to Frankfort. The King of Prussia has refused, so 
that now, as it is not a universal meeting, it will not be 
what it might have been. 

August 19. 

. . . The Emperor came all the way to Kranichstein 
to pay us a visit, and is very amiable, though not very 
talkative. Archduke William, King Max, and the Duke of 
Brunswick were also here yesterday. 

We saw the procession to the Eomer from a small room, 
already filled by twelve Eumpenheimers ! It was a very 
interesting sight. 



58 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863; 

August 21. 

. . . This evening all the crowned heads nearly are 
coming to the opera, and the Kumpenheimers very likely 
also. Uncle Ernest comes to lis for dinner, and we take 
him with us. 

August 24. 

. . . We dined at Homburg yesterday afternoon 
with the old Hereditary Grand Duchess of Schwerin, Louis' 
great-aunt, who is eighty-six, and as fresh and lively as ever. 
The Duke of Altenburg and the Grand Duke of Schwerin 
were with us, and both of them wish to have their respect- 
ful duty sent to you. 

[During the months of Se^Dtember and October the Prin- 
cess was in England on a visit to the Queen.] 

Buckingham Palace : October 28. 

Thousand thanks for your dear lines ! How sad 
that we should be reduced to WTiting again ! It was such 
a happiness to speak to you, and in return to hear all you 
had to say — to try and soothe you, and try to make your 
burthen lighter. I always feel separation from you so 
much, for I feel for and with you, more, oh, far more, than 
I can ever express ! I can only say again, trust, hope, 
and be courageous, and every day will bring something in 
the fulfilment of all your great duties — which will bring 
you peace, and make you feel that you are not forsaken, 
that God has heard your prayer, felt for you, as a loving 
Father would, and that dear Papa is not far from you. 

We remain here to-night, as Louis had a bad sick-head- 
ache, toothache and so on, and he must rest. We leave 
to-morrow afternoon. 

Affie [Prince Alfred] and William (of Hesse) were very 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 59 

well, and seem quite happy together. Af&e sends love, and 
William his respects. 

Darmstadt : November 2. 

Before going out (half-past six) I begin these lines. 
You will have heard what an awful passage we had. Christa 
and I had one of those cabins near the paddle-box, and good 
old May ^ was with us. Each wave that broke on the ship 
Christa and I groaned, and May exclaimed, ' Oh, goodness, 
gracious me ! what an awful sea ! Lord bless you, child, 
I hope it is all safe ! ' and so on. If we had not been so 
wretched, and had not looked so awful with those moun- 
tains of waves about us, I should have laughed. All the 
maids and Moffat were sick. Baby was sick all over her 
nice new shawl, which was a great grief. 

Uncle Louis and Uncle Gustav received us at the 
station. My parents-in-law don't return till Wednesda3\ 
Yesterday Uncle Louis gave us a large dinner, and to-day 
he dines en famille in our house with Prince Adalbert of 
Bavaria, Uncle Gustav,^ and ourselves. 

I was quite done up by this journey. At four in the 
morning we changed carriages at Cologne, and did not get, 
here till x^ast twelve o'clock — twenty-nine hours under way. 

November 5. 

... Yesterday evening Louis and I were at a 
chemical lecture, which was very interesting, by young 
Hallnachs, the brother of the one Becker spoke to you 
about. 

Our house is getting on very well, and we are often 
there. 

Louis is very grateful and touched by your kind mes- 

* Mrs. Hull, a former nurse of the Princess and her brothers and sisters. 
^ Prince Gustav Wasa, first cousin to Prince Charles of Hesse. 



6o IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

sage, and kisses your hand. He is often away for those 
tiresome Jagden [shooting-parties] from five in the morn- 
ing till eight at night, as it is some way off. 

November 14. 

It is not yet eight, and I have such cold fingers. 
The messenger leaves at nine — so I must write now. We 
are going to Mayence to-day, to see a house of our archi- 
tect, Kraus, which is said to be very pretty and very 
English. 

I paid Becker and his mother a visit yesterday. Their 
rooms are so nice, pictures and presents from you and dear 
Papa in all directions, remembrances of past, such happy, 
years ! 

Yesterday also I drove Baby out in my little carriage. 
She sat on Christa's knees and looked about her so much ; 
she went to sleep at last. 

November 17. 

. . . Yesterday I was all the morning with Julie 
Battenberg buying Christmas presents. To-day also I am 
much occupied. We get up at seven, with candles, every 
morning, as this is the best time for doing all business, and 
breakfast at eight. 

November 21. 

. . . The Holstein question, I fear, will lead to war, 
Fritz's ^ rights are so clear. And I am sure all Germany will 
help him to maintain his rights, for the cause is a just one. 

I am sure, dear Mama, you are worried to death about 
it, which is very hard, for you cannot undo what once 
exists. Anything only to avoid war ! It would be a sad 
calamity for Germany, the end of which no one can foresee. 

My Baby has this morning cut her first tooth, and 
makes such faces if one ventures to touch her little mouth. 

* The late Duke Frederic of Augustenburg. 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 6r 

To-day I am going to visit the hospital in the town, 
which is said not to be good or well looked after. I want 
to be able to do something for it and hope to succeed, for 
the people have plenty of money, only not the will. The 
Burgomaster and Gemeinderath [the Town Councillors], 
will meet me there. 

I have just called into life what did not exist, that is, 
linen to be lent for the poor women in their confinements, 
and which I hope will be of use to them, for the dirt and 
discomfort is very great in those classes. 

November 28. 

. . . My visit to the hospital was very interesting, 
and the air was good, the place clean and fresh. There 
were few people dangerously ill there, and they looked well 
taken care of. Air and water are making their way into 
these places to the benefit of mankind. 

I was so much distressed the other day ; for the poor 
man who fell in our house has died. He was a soldier, 
and so respectable and industrious, not above twenty-four. 
This is already the second who has died in consequence of 
a fall. 

Our visit to Carlsruhe was very pleasant. The Queen 
[of Prussia] was there, and we spoke so much of you to- 
gether. She enters quite into all your feelings, and per- 
fectly understands all the sad trials and difficulties of your 
position in addition to your just and natural grief. 

November 30. 

A few words of love and affection from us both on 
this dear day — the third anniversary of the commencement 
of all our happiness, which dear Papa and you enabled us 
to form. 

Those happy days at Windsor and those awful days the 
year after ! I assure you the season, the days, all make 



62 IN HER NEW HOME. 1863 

me sad — for the impression of those two years can never 
be wiped out of my mind. I can write but a few Hues, as 
to-morrow we leave for Amorbach, and to-day I go with 
Louis out shooting. It is cold and fine, as it was two years 
ago. 

Darling Mama, again and again we thank you and 
beloved Papa for all your love to us at that time. 

Amorbach : December 2. 

. . . We arrived here at half-past four yesterday — 
after a bitter cold drive in an open carriage over hard roads, 
all being frozen, since ten in the morning. The country 
we came through was beautiful, though all white, up and 
down hill all the way, through many villages, through 
woods, &c. The house is large and comfortable, full of 
souvenirs of dear Grandmama [Duchess of Kent], of Uncle 
Charles. 

I am so pleased to be with Ernest and Marie ^ — it is a 
bit of home again. 

Darmstadt : December 6. 

. . . Our visit to Amorbach was so pleasant, though 
the weather was bad. I was so happy to be once more 
with Ernest and Marie. Edward^ was very amusing and 
good-natured. I saw poor old Wagner,'' who wishes me to 
send you his duty. 

December 8. 

. . . Think, only yesterday evening at a concert they 
played Buy Bias, which I had not heard since Windsor. 
The room, the band, dear Papa, all came before me, and 
made my heart sink at the thought that that belonged to 
the bright recollections of the past ! I cried all the way 

2 Prince and Princess of Leiningen. 

3 Prince Leiningen's brother. 

* Former tutor to Prince Leiningen's father. 



i863 IN HER NEW HOME. 63 

home. Such trivial things sometimes awaken recollections 
more vividly, and hurt more keenly, than scenes of real 
<listress. I am sure you know what I mean. 

December 12. 

... I must close— my tears fall fast, and I ought 
not to make you sadder, when you are sad enough already. 
Pray for me when you kneel at his grave — pray that my 
happiness may be allowed to last long ; think of me when 
you kneel there where on that day my hand rested on 
your and Papa's dear hands, two years ago. That bond 
between us both is so strong, beloved Mama. I feel it as a 
legacy from him. 

December 22. 

A great pleasure I have had in arranging a tree for 
•our good servants. I bought all the things myself at the 
market, and hung them on the tree : then I also got things 
for darling Louis. 

December 26. 

. . . We all had trees in one large room in the 
Palace, and our presents underneath it looked extremely 
pretty. Uncle Alexander's five children were there, and 
made such a noise with their playthings. 

Baby had a little tree early at her Grandpapa and 
Grandmama's, with all her pretty things. 

Many thanks for the turkey-pie ; we give a dinner to- 
day in honour. 



64 IN HER NEW HOME. . 1864 



1864 

The year 1864 was a most eventful one for Germany. 
After a severe struggle, the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein 
were wrested from the control of the German Confederation 
or Diet at Frankfort, and occupied by Austrian and Prussian 
troops. The Princess's own life that year was full of joyful 
events, and no cloud of sorrow came to disturb her happiness. 

The marriage of Princess Anna of Hesse, which took 
place on the 12th of May, was a cause of great rejoicing to 
the family. 

During the first months of the year the Prince and 
Princess paid several short visits to Gotha, Carlsruhe and 
Munich, and in the summer spent three happy months in 
England. 

On their return to Germany they received numerous 
guests at Kranichstein. But in spite of the many social 
duties and distractions in which the Princess took an 
active part, she never lost sight of more serious duties and 
pursuits. She became the * Protectress ' of the * Heiden- 
reich Institution for Lying-in Women,' which was the be- 
ginning of the active interest afterwards taken by her in 
all sanitary improvements. This interest was heightened 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 65 

by the birth of her second daughter, who was born on the 
1st of November, 1864, and christened on the 28th of that 
month, receiving the names EHzabeth Alexandra Louise 
AKce. The Princess was very proud of being able to nurse 
her child herself, and from this time she took up with the 
keenest interest all questions relating to the phj^sical, 
mental, and moral training of children. She found an able 
supporter and indejDendent adviser in Dr. Weber, a very 
eminent medical man, resident at Darmstadt. 



January 5. 

. . . The cold here is awful. I skated yesterday, 
and to-day we are going to the pond at Kranichstein. 
(Very few people skate here — only one lady, and she very 
badly.) Baby only goes out for half an hour in the middle 
of the day, well wrapped up. It would not do to keep her 
quite at home, as she would become so sensitive when first 
taken out again. Of course when it is windy or too cold 
she stops in. 

January 9. 

I was aghast on receiving Bertie's telegram this 
morning announcing the birth of their little son. Oh, may 
dear Papa's blessing rest on the little one; may it turn 
out like dear Papa, and be a comfort and pride to you, 
and to its young parents ! Your first English grandchild. 
Dear Mama, my heart is so full. May dear Alix and the 
Baby only go on well ! 

January 16. 

. . . Baby says * Papa,' * Mama,' and yesterday 
several times * Louis.' She imitates everything she hears, 
all noises and sounds; she gets on her feet alone by a 
chair, and is across the room before one can turn round. 



66 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

Her adoration for Louis is touching. She stops always, 
since the summer, alone in our room, so she never cries for 
Moffat [her nurse], and is very happy on the floor with her 
playthings. She is a very dear little thing and gets on very 
fast, but equally in all things, and is as fat as she was. It 
is so interesting to watch the progress and development of 
such a little being ; and Baby is so expressive, she makes 
such a face when she is not pleased, and laughs so heartily 
when she is contented. She is more like a child of two 
years old a great deal. 

Gotha : January 22. 

After a very cold journey we arrived here on Wed- 
nesday afternoon. I found dear Uncle and Aunt well, 
Leopoldine (who is very dear and nice), and Hermann,^ 
Edward and Marie Leiningen, and Prince Lowenstein here. 
Only Hermann and Leopoldine live in the Castle besides 
us ; the others are all at Uncle's house. 

January 30. 

. . . These poor Schleswig-Holsteiners do what they 
can to liberate themselves from the Danish yoke, and to 
regain their lawful sovereign, Fritz. And why is England, 
who stands up for freedom of countries, who in Italy, where 
there was less cause, did what she could to liberate the 
country from her lawful sovereigns, to do what she can to 
prevent the Schleswig-Holsteiners from liberating them- 
selves from a king who has no right over them, merely 
because they are unfortunate good-natured Germans, who 
allow themselves to be oppressed ? 

February 5. 

In the distance, dear Mama, one really cannot judge 
correctly of reasons for or against things, when one does 
not exactly know how everything stands. 

^ Prince and Princess Hermann of Hohenlolie-Langenburg. 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 67 

February 14. 

. . . We have been in sledges to-day, and everybody 
drives about the town in them ; it sounds so pretty, all the 
jingling bells. 

. . . Shakespeare's words came home to him — 

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. 

Thank God, my husband has none ! I thank the Almighty 
daily for our peaceful homely life, in which sphere we can 
do a good deal of good to our fellow-creatures, without 
having to mix in those hateful politics. 

Our life is a very very happy one. I have nothing on 
earth to wish for, and much as I loved my precious Louis 
when I married him, still more do I love him now and daily ; 
for his character is worthy of love and respect, and a better 
husband or father, a more unselfish and kind one, there 
does not live. His love for you, you know ; and on our 
return how glad we shall be to be near you once more. 

February 16. 

Louis is in the Chamber to-day from nine till one, 
long enough at a stretch, and immediately after breakfast. 
We always breakfast at eight ; then Louis sees the three 
officers who come every morning on his military business, 
then Westerweller and all others who have business. We 
usually walk before luncheon, which is at twelve ; and often 
drive at two or three. At five we dine ; at half -past six, 
theatre, four times a week, till half-past nine; then we 
take tea together, Louis reads to me and I work. On other 
week-days there are concerts or parties. We are often in 
our new house, and in the garden, arranging things and 
watching the progress. We also go to lectures here, and 
are much occupied, which makes the day pass so quickly. 

F 2 



68 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

March 1. 

I have learned much smce I married, and, above all, 
not to be dependent on others in my existence. To be able 
to make a bright and comfortable home for my dear hus- 
band is my constant aim ; but even in this one often fails, 
for self constantly turns up, like a bad sixpence. Oh, how 
dear Papa spoke about that ! His whole noble life was 
that one bright example of sacrificing himself to his duty. 
Dear, adored Papa ! such goodness, such love, when one 
thinks of it, must silence all complaints of petty troubles in 
the mouths of his children and servants. You, dear Mama, 
are the one who suffers the most, though this awful loss 
has touched all ; and to soothe your grief and to help you 
lightens one's own. 

March 5. 

. . . Spring always makes me so ivehniltliig [sad] , 
I don't know why ; one longs for everything and anything 
which is out of one's reach. 

I will tell you of something I did the other day ; but 
please tell no one, because not a soul but Louis and my 
ladies know of it here. I am the patroness of the ' Heiden- 
reich Stiftung,' to which you also gave a handsome present 
in the beginning. The ladies who belong to it go to bring 
linen to poor respectable Wochnerinnen [women in child- 
bed] , who claim their assistance. They bring them food, 
and, in short, help them. All cases are reported to me. 
The other day I went to one incog, with Christa, in the old 
paripf the town — and the trouble we had to find the house ! 
At length, through a dirty courtyard, up a dark ladder into 
one little room, where lay in one bed the poor woman and 
her baby ; iii the room four other children, the husband, two 
other beds, and a stove. But it did not smell bad, nor was 
it dirty. I sent Christa down with the children, then with 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 69 

the husband cooked something for the woman; arranged 
her bed a httle, took her baby for her, bathed its eyes— for 
they were so bad, poor httle thing !— and did odds and ends 
for her. I went twice. The people did not know me, and 
w^ere so nice, so good and touchingiy attached to each 
other ; it did one's heart good to see such good feelings in 
such poverty. The husband was out of work, the children 
too young to go to school, and they had only four kreuzers 
in the house when she was confined. Think of that misery 
and discomfort ! 

If one never sees any poverty, and always lives in that 
cold circle of Court people, one's good feelings dry up, and 
I felt the want of going about and doing the little good 
that is in my power. I am sure you wih understand 
this. 

My own dear precious Mama, March 14. 

These words are for the 16th, the first hard trial of 
our lives, where I was allowed to be with you. Do you 
recollect when all was over [death of the Duchess of Kent] , 
and dear Papa led you to the sofa in the colonnade, and 
then took me to you ? I took that as a sacred request from 
him to love, cherish, and comfort my darling Mother to all 
the extent of my weak powers. Other things have taken 
me from being constantly with you; but nothing has lessened 
my intense love for you, and longing to quiet every pain 
which touches you, and to fulfil, even in the distance, his 
request. 

Oh, darling Mama, were there words in which I could 
express to you how much I am bound up with you, how 
constantly my thoughts and prayers are yours, I would 
write them. The sympathies of our souls can only tell 
each other how tender my love and gratitude to you is, and 



70 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

how vividly I feel every new trial or new thing with you 
and for you. . . . 

I was with another poor woman, even worse off, this 
morning, and on the third day she was walking in the 
room and nearly fainted from weakness. Those poor 
people ! 

March 26. 

. . . Yesterday morning at nine we took the Sacra- 
ment — all the family and congregation together. The others 
then stopped for the rest of the service, till after eleven. 
I went home, and returned for the English service at twelve. 
At half -past six, in the Stadtkirche, Bach's ' Passion ' was 
given. 

April 5. 

To-day is Victoria's birthday. What a day it was 
this time last year ! Baby has her table in the room next 
to my sitting-room. Uncle Louis and the rest of the family 
expected to breakfast with us at twelve. 

Munich : April 11. 

. . . To-day, for the first time since the King's 
death,^ the Queen and we all with our Gefolge [suite] dined 
in the Winter Garden. It seemed to try her very much, 
but she is so wonderfully quiet that she scarcely shows it. 
I was three hours with her yesterday evening. She spoke 
so kindly of you and with such sympathy and interest, and 
said, when dear Papa died, she had prayed for you so 
much. 

Munich : April 13. 

. . . Between sight-seeing, and going to the Queen's 
room, and being with her, I have not a moment scarcely to 
rest or write. Yesterday we visited the whole Schloss full 

2 King Maximilian II. of Bavaria had died on the 10th of the preceding 
month of March. The Queen is a sister of Prince Louis's mother. 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 71 

of frescoes, and the studios of all the famous painters — so 
interesting. How dear Papa would have enjoyed it ! I 
was thinking the whole time what he would have thought 
of certain pictures, and how much he would have admired 
some. But at all times seeing things, and most of all 
pictures, is fatiguing. 

Darmstadt : April 21. 

... On Monday Louis goes into the country to 
shoot capercailzies [Auerhdhne] . I accompany him part 
of the way, but stop at Schweinsberg with Christa's parents. 
The air is very good there, and we thought the country 
would do me good. 

. . . We shall leave probably later [for England], after 
or just before your birthday. We have a great deal to do 
in London for our house, for which I should want a week ; 
and from Windsor to leave you for a whole week I should 
not like, and to go up constantly is rather tiring. 

We go from Mayence to Eotterdam by steamer, from 
thence by rail to Antwerp, and then wait for good weather 
to cross, so that we shall be long under way, but quite 
easily and comfortably. 

April 25. 

. . . We shall leave the week of your birthday. 
Louis wishes us to have a full fortnight in London, 

Schweinsberg : April 28. 

. . . This is a charming country house, in a lovely 
healthy country ; the air has already done me much good. 
Christa's parents are charming, clever people, and the life 
is quiet and refreshing. On Saturday I expect Louis, and 
then we shall go home. 

Darmstadt : May 14. 

Many thanks for your letter, and above all for your great 
kindness about the ships, for which I thank you many times. 



72 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

Christa and Becker wrote an account of the wedding,^ 
so I won't write any more about it save that it went off 
very well and was very vornehm and well-arranged. . . . 

I have born the fatigues well ; but two days before, for 
two days and one night, I was very unwell. . . . Dr. Weber 
is a clever man, and is vielseitig [many-sided] in his views 
on medicine and treatment of illnesses. I think you will 
like him. 

Baby runs alone through two rooms without falling 
now : she learnt it in a week. She will amuse you so 
much. Yesterday Louis drove me and his two brothers in a 
break, and Baby went with us much enchanted. 

May 17. 

. . . To-morrow afternoon Fritz and Anna leave. 
To-day the town gives a large ball, to which we all go, and 
before it there is a dinner at the Schloss. 

May 21. 

... It is excessively hot, which makes me so tired 
and weak. I am sure you suffered dreadfully from the heat. 
The parting from Anna three days ago was dreadful ; 
she so distressed, and her parents also. . . . They begin 
their old age alone, so to say, for there are no children in 
their house any more. It makes us both very sad to leave 
them, and seems so unfeeling ; but we shall return to them 
soon. What a blessing that you have Beatrice and two 
brothers, still boys ; and yet, for one alone what an 
anxiety ! 

Maiiborough House : May 26. 

Arrived here at half-past eleven, and quite rested. 
I at once write to you to thank you for your letter and for 
the great comfort of the ships. I feel so much better already 

^ Of the Princess Anna of Hesse with the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin. 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 73 

from the air on the Ehine those two days, and the fresh 
sea ah% that I have borne the journey this way with but 
httle fatigue. I find Bertie and Ahx both looking well, and 
the baby so pretty and dear. 

I slept during the whole night passage, as I went to bed 
early. I had about twelve hours' sleep, which has com- 
pletely set me up. Louis is paying visits. We have lunched, 
and in the afternoon Bertie and Alix have promised to call 
on Lady Augusta and Dean Stanley, and we join them. 
Aunt Cambridge and Mary we shall see afterwards. 

[From May to August the Princess was in England on 
a visit to the Queen.] 

Kranichstein : August 30. 

... I have stood the journey well, though I am 
rather fatigued. It is very warm. Louis is off to Jugen- 
heim. I am to go there to-morrow, and it takes my whole 
day, as it is so far. I have seen none of the family yet. 
I was so distressed to part from dear Ernest and Marie, 
they were so dear and good all along the journey. The 
weather was beautiful and the passage good. 

September 2. 

... I am so glad that, from all accounts, everything 
went off so very well at Perth ^ ; it must have been most 
trying to you, and yet satisfactory. We read all the ac- 
counts you kindly sent us with much interest. 

. . . The Emperor [of Eussia] with his second and 
third sons arrived yesterday. We saw him at the station 
at Darmstadt, but did not join them as the rest of the 
family did. We go to Jugenheim to-day and Baby with 
us, as little Serge,^ who is just Beatrice's age, has such a 

* The unveiling of a statue of the Prince Consort. 
^ Grand Duke Serge. 



74 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

passion for her. The children are very nice, the two older 
sons very big. Uncle Gustav is here, which makes me think 
of you here this time last year. 

September 13. 

. . . Two days ago we had intense heat, and since 
great cold — the two extremes constantly, which is so un- 
wholesome. The Emperor is very grateful for your message, 
and sends his best remembrance. . . . There were seven 
young men to dinner yesterday, and your glass was used 
for the first time and looked so pretty. 

September 17. 

. , . The Emperor and Empress [of Kussia] before 
leaving took a most tender farewell of us, and she gave me 
their Order. They return to Darmstadt on the 27th for a 
fortnight, as it is now settled that the Empress is to spend 
the winter at Nice, and she may not go there till the begin- 
ning of October at the soonest, as it would be too warm. 

. . . We are in the middle of the second volume of 
Froude,^ but it is too detailed to interest you ; you have far 
too much to do to be interested in it. . . . Eobertson's 
beautiful sermons we have also read together, and I have 
discovered that a German translation exists, and have 
ordered one. 

Mrs. Hardinge '^ leaves me the end of this month, I am 
sorry to say ; for she is very nice, discreet, and ready to do 
anything, and not at all of the present bad English genre. 

September 20. 

. . . What you say about the poor sisters, and 
indeed of all the younger ones, is true. The little brothers 

^ The History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of 
Elizabeth. 

' Wife of General tlie Hon. Arthur Hardinge, who was on a visit to the 
Princess. 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 75 

and Beatrice are those who have lost the most, poor httle 
thmgs ! I can't bear to think of it, for dear Papa, more 
pecuHarly than any other father, was wanted for his chil- 
dren ; and he was the dear friend, and even playfellow, 
besides. Such a loss as ours is indeed unique. Time only 
increases its magnitude, and the knowledge of the want is 
felt more keenly. 

... I was yesterday in our little house, arranging and 
clearing out the rooms. We shall have very close quarters, 
but it will not be uncomfortable. 

... I often wish dear Papa could have seen what a 
treasure I have in my darling ; but I am sure he does see 
it, and his blessing with yours rests on us, for we seem not 
separated from either of you, our life is so interwoven with 
yours. 

Where people are unselfish, loving, good, and industrious, 
like my dear Louis, I always feel a certain likeness begin- 
ning to grow up with our dear angel Father ! Don't you ? 
Oh, may we all only become like him ! I struggle so hard, 
dear Mama, in the many little trials I daily have, to become 
more like him. My trials melt away when I think of you, 
and I wish I were great and strong to be able to bear some 
of your great trials for you. Dear Mama, how I love you ! 
how we both love you, and would shield you with our love 
from all new blows and trials, you know. God comfort you ! 
My heart is often too full to say all that is in it ; to tell 
you all my love and devotion, for your own precious sake, 
and for dear Papa's, who left you as a legacy to us all to 
love and to cherish for him. 

September 23. 

To-morrow Louis, I and my two ladies take the 
Sacrament in the little church here. I wished much to 
take it before my hour of trial comes. Dear Louis read to 



76 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

me yesterday evening Kobertson's sermon on the ' Sym- 
pathy of Christ.' 

We have fine autumn weather, and I am out as much 
as I can. ... I sleep well and breakfast always at half- 
past eight ; we dine at two, and take supper at eight, then 
my ladies read aloud, and I work or Christa plays, Louis 
reads his papers, &c. To myself I read Lord Malmesbury's 
Memoirs, which are very curious, and when Louis has time 
he reads Froude to me. 

Kranichstein : October 4. 

. . . To-morrow dear Uncle Leopold [King of the 
Belgians] comes for a few hours. Louis will go to Darmstadt 
or Mayence to meet him, and I will receive him at the 
station, as none of the family know him. Louis is out 
shooting with the Emperor. Uncle Alexander's throat has 
already begun to be bad again. 

... I am writing quite a confused letter in the midst 
of household troubles, for the Emperor and Empress have 
just let me know that they wish to breakfast here, and 
Louis is out, and I don't know where or how to have the 
things in our small menage. 

I must therefore conclude and do my business. 

October 7. 

... I had the pleasure of seeing dear Uncle two 
days ago looking wonderfully well, and kind and dear as 
ever. . . . To-day I must go to a large family dinner. 
Fritz and Anna of Hesse, Grand Duchess Marie, and 
Prince and Princess William of Baden, besides ourselves, 
the family, and the Emperor and Empress. 

Darmstadt : October 14. 

We are at length here, in great disorder, and I have 
been waiting half an hour only for a pen to be found. I am 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. -j-j 

tired and not very well. . . . Augusta [Lady Augusta 
Stanley! being with you I am very glad of, and she must 
be such a comfort to you, for, besides being such a friend, 
she has that peculiar charm of manner which all the Bruces 
possess. 

October 21. 

... I am so grieved about poor Louise ; she will 
want much care and attention. 

Lady Car. [Caroline Barrington] is here since yesterday 
evening, to my great delight, and is not looking the worse 
for her journey. 

October 29. 

. . . To-morrow we expect Vicky and Fritz [Crown 
Prince and Princess of Prussia] for two hours, and later 
Bertie and Alix on their way back from Amorbach, for a 
few hours. I shall be delighted to see them. 

October 31. 

. . . Yesterday we had the pleasure of having dear 
Vicky and Fritz and baby here for two hours, the former 
well and in such good looks, as I have not seen her for 
long. The baby is a love, and very pretty. We were very 
glad after a year's separation to meet again, and Vicky was 
so dear and loving. I always admire her understanding 
and brightness each time I see her again ; and Fritz so 
good, so excellent. Bertie and Alix we ex23ect in a day or 
two for a short visit. It is very cold, but not unjDleasant. I 
go. out twice a day. 

Darmstadt : November 7. 

. . . The little daughter ^ was but a momentary 
disappointment to us, which we have quite got over. We 
console ourselves with the idea that the little pair will look 
very pretty together. 

^ The Princess Elizabeth was born on the 1st of November, 1864. 



78 IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

November 20. 

. . . We are both very much pleased at the arrange- 
ment about Brown and your pony, and I think it is so sen- 
sible. I am sure it will do you good, and relieve a little the 
monotony of your out-of-door existence, besides doing your 
nerves good. I had long wished you would do something of 
the kind ; for, indeed, only driving is not wholesome. ... I 
have had two drives, which have done me good. . . . My 
mother-in-law has been kindness itself all along — so atten- 
tive and yet so discreet. I can't be grateful enough. My 
good father-in-law also. . . . Louis's mother is to be god- 
mother, because it is customary here to ask some one of the 
name the child is to receive to stand on the occasion. We 
liked Elizabeth on account of St. Elizabeth being the 
ancestress of the Hessian as well as the Saxon House. 

November 26. 

. . . We probably go to Carlsruhe on Wednesday, 
the only place we can well go to near by ; we can't take an 
inn at Baden or anything of that sort, and we only go for 
a week or ten days at most. ... I am very well and very 
careful ; all people say I look better, and have more colour 
than I have had for long, and, indeed, I feel strong and well, 
and my fat Baby does perfectly, and is a great darling. 
Affie and Louis and his brother are out shooting. The 
horrid weather has kept me in these three days. 

November 29. 

... I ought to mention the christening. My 
mother-in-law held Baby all the time, and it screamed a 
good deal. Victoria stood with us and was very good, 
only kneeling down and tumbling over the footstool every 
two minutes, and she kept whispering to me, ' Go to 



i864 IN HER NEW HOME. 79 

Uncle's.' I thought so much of the christening last jesiv, 
when Victoria behaved much better than her larger dark 
sister. Ella measured twenty-three and a half-inches a 
fortnight ago, and she had not grown then. Victoria, I 
believe, was twenty inches. 

Carlsruhe : December 5. 

. . . Dear Dr. Macleod is coming with Affie to 
Darmstadt for the 14th. Vicky and Fritz will be with us 
also. How kind of him to come, and it has made Affie so 
happy, for he is so devoted to him. 

r Darmstadt : December 10. 

. . . We returned here yesterday, after a very plea- 
sant stay at Carlsruhe. It was very quiet, and we were 
always en famille. We had the opportunity of speaking 
much with Fritz, who is in every way so distinguished, and 
dear Louise is so good and kind. 

I have very little time to write to-day, as we arrived 
late last night. Louis has to be absent to-day, so I have a 
great deal to do. 

December 15. 

I had not a moment to myself to write to you 
yesterday, and to thank you for the kind lines you sent me 
through dear Dr. Macleod. He gave us a most beautiful 
service, a sermon giving an outline of dear Papa's noble, great 
and good character, and there were most beautiful allusions 
to you in his prayer, in which we all prayed together most 
earnestly for you, precious Mama ! 

We talked long together afterwards about dear Papa, 
and about you, and though absent were very near you in 
thought and prayer. 

Dear Vicky talked so lovingly and tenderly of you, and 
of how homesick she sometimes felt. She was not with us 
on that dreadful day three years ago, and that is so painful 



8o IN HER NEW HOME. 1864 

to her. Dear Af&e was, as we all were, so much overcome 
by all Dr. Macleod said. Yicky, Affie, Louis and myself 
sat in the little dining-room ; he read to us there. Fritz 
had left early in the mornmg. The day was passed quietly 
and peaceably together, and I was most grateful to have 
dear Yicky and Affie with me on that day. My dear Louis 
wishes me to express to you how tenderly he thought of 
you and with what sympathy on this sad anniversary. 
Never can we cease talking of home, of you and of all your 
trials. God bless and comfort you, my own dear Mama ! 



1 



lS6s IN HER NEW HOME. 8i 



1865 

In the month of January of this year the Prince and Prin- 
cess were at last able to carry out their intentions of visit- 
ing Berlin, which had several times been postponed. The 
Princess met with the greatest kindness and attention from 
the King and Queen of Prussia, who had been much at- 
tached to her since her childhood. 

A great grief fell upon the Grand Ducal family through 
the death of the young Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin, Prince Louis's only sister, whose recent marriage 
had given so much satisfaction to the family, and who died 
on the 16th of April, a few days after giving birth to a 
daughter. 

About the same time, the Cesarewitch Nicholas, eldest 
son of the Emperor of Eussia, died at Nice. He was his 
mother's favourite son, and had been engaged to be married 
to Princess Dagmar of Denmark (present Empress of Eussia), 
the sister of the Princess of Wales. Princess Alice en- 
deavoured with all a daughter's love and sympathy to cheer 
her parents-in-law under their heavy bereavement. 

While the Prince and Princess were absent in Switzer- 
land at the Eigi Kaltbad in the Bernese Alps, Queen Yic- 

a 



82 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

toria spent one day at Kraniclistein,. and on the 26th of 
August gathered all her children round her at Coburg. On 
that day the Prmce Consort's statue on the market-place 
at Coburg was unveiled. . 

The yearly visit to England took place in the autumn, 
and the Prince and Princess spent a longer time than usual 
in the Highlands, where they made many delightful excm*- 
sions. 

Soon after their return to Germany, the sad news 
reached them of the death of the King of the Belgians. 
Endeared by his personal character to his family and friends, 
he was also by reason of his statesmanlike qualities recog- 
nised as one of the most remarkable sovereigns of Europe. 

Although Princess Alice had lived but a short time at 
Darmstadt, she had already become the acknowledged centre 
of social life in that town. Her liberal and independent 
spirit, conflicting as it did with many local prejudices, ex- 
posed her to many criticisms ; still, no one who came in 
contact with her could resist the charm of her appearance 
and manner. The Princess had, so to speak, not * yet taken 
root ' in her adopted country ; but, acute and close observer 
as she was, she soon found where her own sphere of occupa- 
tion lay, and what the agencies were by w4iich she could 
work out her plans. 

Her letters show the love she bore to her new family, 
and the many useful enterprises which she now initiated for 
the wellbeing of the country. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 83 



January 1. 

. . . Thousand thanks for your dear words, and for 
"the wishes ! I was thmking so much of you and of home, 
when your letter came m. It made me so happy ! Darhng 
Mama, I can feel so much with and for 3^ou during these 
-days. I was all day on the verge of tears, for the very word 
Neiijahr brought Papa and Grandmama, and all at Windsor 
as in former days, so vividly before me, it made my heart 
ache ! That bright happy past, particularly those last 
years, when I was the eldest at home, and had the privi- 
lege of being so much with you both, my own dearly loved 
parents, is a remembrance deeply graven, and with letters 
of gold, upon my heart. All the morning I was telling Louis 
how it used to be at home, and how we all assembled outside 
your dressing-room door to scream in chorus ' Prosit Neu- 
Jahr ! ' and to give to you and Papa our drawings, writings, 
ifec, the busy occupation of previous weeks. Then playing 
and reciting our pieces, where we often stuck fast, and dear 
Papa bit his lip so as not to laugh ; our walk to the Eiding- 
school [where the alms to the poor were distributed] , and 
then to Frogmore. Those were happy days, and the very 
remembrance of them must bring a gleam of sunshine 
even to you, dear Mama. Those two dinners, w^hen I 
was with you both, were such happy evenings. I am so 
grateful I remained at home, and lost not a day of those 
happy ones. 

At eight this morning we two went to church ; at half- 
past three there was a large dinner at the Schloss. I wore 
the bracelet with your pictures, as I always do on all par- 
ticular days, for I like to be able to look at those dear 
faces. 

G 2 



84 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 



January 2. 

We mean to go out sledging. The cold, and all the 
ground being white this last month, has given me such bad 
eyes. I can do nothing of an evening at all, and reading 
even by daylight makes them so bad that they get quite 
red. The ladies read to me, instead, all sorts of instructive 
things. Louis has already found time to read through a 
whole volume of the Lives of the Engineers.^ You could 
not have sent anything that would interest him more. He 
thanks you so much for the pretty New Year's wish also. 

January 14. 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter, for the nice 
enclosure from Dr. Macleod, and for the beautiful sermon 
by Dean Stanley. One remark struck me as singularly 
applicable to dear Papa, where he says : * To die is gain ; 
to be no longer vexed with the sight of evil, which they 
cannot control,' &c. — for dear Papa suffered when he saw 
others do wrong ; it pained that good pure spirit : and 
though we long for him and want him, if we cou.ld call him 
back — even you who want him so much, I think, would 
pause before you gave vent to the wish that would recall 
him. . . . 

When trials come, what alone save faith and hope in a 
blessed future can sustain one ! 

. . . You can't think how much I am interested in 
every little detail of your daily life. Besides, you know it 
cannot be otherwise. Please say kindest things to Brown,^ 
who must be a great convenience to you. 

' By Dr. Samuel Smiles. 

2 John Brown, the Queen's faithful personal attendant. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 85 

January 20. 

. . . The more one studies and tries to understand 
those wonderful laws which rule the world, the more one 
wonders, worships, and admires that which to us is so in- 
comprehensible ; and I always wonder how there can be 
dissatisfied and grumbling people in this beautiful world, 
so far too good for our deserts, and where, after our duty 
is done, we hope to be everlastingly with those we love, 
where the joy will be so great and lasting that present 
sorrow and trouble must melt away before that sunshine. 

January 23. 

. . . We have rain and warm high wind, and leave 
at four o'clock this afternoon. Ella has her bath as a bed, 
and Victoria sleeps in the bassinet, which is done up with 
chintz for the occasion. I don't think they can catch cold. 
There is a stove in the centre compartment besides. You 
can fancy I feel shy going to Berlin into a perfectly new 
society ; and I have been so little out on the whole since 
the year 1861. Marie Grancy^ goes with us. 

Berlin : January 29. 

. . . The journey went off very well, and we are so 
happy to be here. Vicky and Fritz are kindness itself, 
and Vicky so dear, so loving ! I feel it does me good, that 
there is a reflection of Papa's great mind in her. He loved 
her so much, and was so proud of her. The King is, as 
always, very kind, and so pleased to see us here. Louis is 
very happy to meet his old comrades again, and they 
equally so to see him ; and I am so glad that he can have 
this amusement at least, for he is so kind in not leaving 

3 One of the Princess's ladies in waiting. 



86 IN HER NEW HO^IE. 1865 

me — and onr life must be rather dull sometimes for a 
young man of spii'it like him. 

Berlin : Februaiy 1. 

. . . Affie arrived at eight this morning. I am sure 
the King will be so pleased at your having let him come 
now. He is so kind to me ; it touches me very much, for 
I have never done anything to deserve it. 

Berlin : Februaiy 4. 

... I have not been sight-seeing anywhere, as it is 
too cold for that. We drive in a shut carriage, and then 
walk in the Thiergarten. We si^end the whole day toge- 
ther, which is a great enjojTuent to me, and of an evening 
we go out together. It is so pleasant to have a sister to go 
out with, and all the people are so kind and civil to us. 

Sigismund * is the greatest darling I have ever seen — so 
wonderfully strong and advanced for his age — with such 
fine colour, always laughing, and so lively he nearly jumps 
out of our arms. 

This house is very comfortable, and Yicky is surrounded 
with pictures of you and dear Papa -near her bed, on all 
her tables — and such endless souvenirs of our childhood : it 
made me quite wehmuthig [sad] to see all the things I had not 
seen for seven years, and since we lived together as children 
— souvenirs of Christmases and birthdays from 3'ou both, 
and from dear Grandmama, from Aunt Gloucester, &c. It 
awakened a thousand old remembrances of happy past 
times. 

Berlin : February 7. 

. . . How much do I think of you now, the happy 
Silver Wedding that would have been, where you could have 
been surrounded by so many of us ! Poor Mama, I do 

■* Then the Crown Princess's youngest child. 



iS65 IN HER NEW HOME. Sj 

feel so deeply for you. Oh, may I be long, if not altogether, 
spared so awful a calamity ! 

Morning, noon, and night do I thank the Almighty for 
0117' happiness, and pray that it may last. 

These lines are for the dear lOth,^' though they will 
reach you on the eve ; and they are to tell you from Louis 
and myself how tenderly we think of you on that day, and 
of darling Papa, who made that day what it was. It will 
be a day of great trial to you, I fear. May the Almighty 
give you strength and courage to bear it ! I am sure the 
dear sisters and brothers who are at home will try to cheer 
you with their different loving ways — above all, little 
Beatrice, the youngest of us all. 

Louis goes to Schwerin to-morrow until Friday. They 
wanted us to go together, but one journey is enough at this 
time of the year. 

Berlin : February 11. 

. . . We have been sledging these two days ; it is 
very cold, and the rooms mostly very hot. When we go 
out of an evening, we are packed up from head to foot. 
My dear Louis returned from Schwerin at five this morn- 
ing, jDleased with his visit. He found the Castle fine and com- 
fortable, and its inmates very happy. 

Berlin : February 14. 

. . . We leave next Saturday. I shall be so sorry 
to leave dear Yicky, for she is often so much alone. Fritz is 
really so excellent, it is a pleasure to look at his dear good 
face; and he is worked so hard — no health can stand it in 
the long run. 

Berlin : February 17. 

. . . This will be my last letter from here, and I 
onty regret leaving here on account of parting with dear 

^ The aniversary of the Queen's marriage. 



88 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

Vicky and Fritz, whom we see so rarely, and usually but 
for a short time. I have passed such pleasant hours with 
dear Vicky : that is what I shall look back to with so much 
pleasure and satisfaction. 

Darmstadt : February 21. 

I write once more from our dear little home, which 
I find very cold ; snow and ice everywhere still — it seems 
as if winter would never end. We accomplished our journey 
very well. Poor Vicky will miss us very much, I fear, in 
the many hours when she is alone, and which we spent 
together. Writing does not make up for it. 

We give a large masked ball in the Palace at Fastnacht 
[Shrove Tuesday], which is to-day week. It is the first thing 
we do for the society, and I hope it will go off well. I found 
so much to do since my return that I can write no more. 

Before closing I must mention, though, that yesterday 
evening I heard Elijah beautifully given. How I thought 
of dear Papa ! Nearly every note brought back to mind 
observations he made about it. I thought I could see him, 
and hear his dear sweet voice turning round to me with 
quite watery eyes, saying, ' Es ist doch gar zu schon ' [* It 
is really quite too lovely ! '] 

Adored Papa ! how he loved this fine music ; the har- 
mony in it seems like the harmony of souls, and Men- 
delssohn's music is so good, fromm [pious] — I mean, it 
makes one better to hear it. In the second part, in an air 
of Elijah towards the end, I found the part from which 
those beautiful responses are taken which Cusins arranged, 
and which Papa liked so much. 

February 27. 

... I can write but a very short letter to-day, 
having so much to do for our ball. I have made a sketch 
of my costume, which is the same I wore at Berlin at the 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 89 

masked ball of the Putbuses. Louis wears part of the 
Garter costume. 

March 4. 

. . . My parents-in-law leave the middle of this 
month for Schwerin. . . . My mother-in-law fears that 
Anna will be badly managed and treated quite after the old 
fashion, and she won't be able to help her, she fears. Anna 
is not very strong, and if she is starved and kept from the 
air, it will certainly do her harm. 

I have written to dear Tilla.^ To think of home without 
her seems too sad, but I hope you will invite her sometimes. 
Everyone liked her in the house, she was so gentle and so 
kind. I shall never forget what I owe her, and I ever loved 
her most dearly. But she has never been the same again 
•since 1861. It gave her a dreadful shock; she had such a 
veneration for darling Papa. 

I hope this year we can show you our house, though it 
ivill not be far enough advanced for you to live in. For 
another year, I hope, we could make you so comfortable. 

Darmstadt : March 6. 

... I am reading at this moment a book by Herr 
von Arneth — the publication of letters from Maria Theresa 
to Marie Antoinette from 1770-80. I recommend it to 
you. The letters are short and interesting, and it would 
amuse you to take it up now and then, when you have a 
leisure moment. The advice the Empress gives her daughter 
is so good ; she was a very wise mother. 

I have read and studied a great deal about the human 
body; about children — their treatment, &c. It interests 
me immensely. Besides, it is always useful to know such 
things, so that one is not perfectly ignorant of the reasons 

* Miss Hildyard, the Princess's former English governess. 



90 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

why doctors wish one to do certam things, and why not. 
In any moment of ilhiess, before there is time for a doctor 
to come, one can be able to help oneself a little. I know 
you don't like these things, and where one is surromided 
by such as dear Sir James [Clark] and Dr. Jenner, it is 
perfectly unnecessary and pleasanter not to know a good 
deal. Instead of finding it disgusting, it only fills me with 
admiration to see how wonderfully we are made. 

Darmstadt : March 11. 
. . . Westerweller does not accompany us this time 
to England ; he may join us in June. A former play- 
fellow of Louis, Ferdinand Eabenau, accompanies us. 
Affie knows him and likes him. We think of starting on 
the 3rd, and passing by Brussels to see dear Uncle Leopold. 
Uncle Louis is still at Nice, and does not return here, it 
seems, until the Emperor and Empress meet for April 24 
— the Emperor's birthda^^ My mother-in-law is very 
grateful for your kind message. She seems very nervous 
about Anna. 

Victoria is teething, which makes her pale and poorly. 
Ella's vaccination did not take, and we have the small-pox 
here. 

March 18. 

My poor children have been confined to the house 
with dreadful colds and coughs. Victoria looks the most 
pulled, though Ella's cough was much more violent. I 
am happy to say that they are really better to-day ; but 
we have snow every day, and that makes their recovery 
slower. 

Yesterday night part of a large seed manufactory close 
by, near the artillery barracks, was burnt down. The 
flames were enormous, but the damage done was not great. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 91 

My parents-in-law are in Berlin, and after to-morrow 
they go to Schwerin. 

Last night we heard Cosl fan tiitte given to perfection. 
The music is most charming, and I had never heard it 
before. 

April 1. 

. . . Since some days the snow is many feet deep ; 
one can get about in sledges, and Louis drove me in one 
with four horses this morning. All intercourse by carriage 
is impossible, and this is very inconvenient to the people in 
the country when their ' Post ' cannot drive. 

April 4. 

I must begin by telling 3^ou how much pleasure your 
telegram has given me. It is like my own dear Mama to 
have her arms open for those who want her kind support ; 
and I can only repeat again, that with you, and under 3- our 
care alone, should I like to leave my little ones so long ! 
To them, indeed, it will in every way be an advantage, and 
I shall be quite easy in leaving them there, where I know^ 
they will have every care which can be given ; and it would 
make us both so happy to feel that in this way we could 
give you some little pleasure. 

Westerweller and Becker both wish very much we may 
take this winter, D.Y., for a journey. As long as we have 
fewer servants and this small house, it is easy to break up 
the whole establishment — later, this will be less possible. 
Louis has never been able to travel, and the advantage of 
seeing other parts of the world would be so great for him. 
Without me he would not do it ; he says, alone he should 
not enjoy it. I urge this journey principally for his sake, 
and I hope you will support me in this. Since our 
marriage we have seen nothing, and all who can try to 



92 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

enlarge their knowledge. From books alone it becomes . 
tedious and less advantageous. 

Victoria is going to have a party of thirty children to- 
morrow in Prince Charles's rooms. The snow is thawing 
at length, and the sun is much too hot. The sudden spring 
is not pleasant. We have been out riding, and this evening 
I shall accompany Louis to the Schnepfenstrich [woodcock- 
shooting ''], which in a fine evening, when the birds sing, is 
lovely. . . . 

April 8. 

. . . We shall be delighted to receive you in Kra- 
nichstein, and if you will send your suite all to Darmstadt 
-we shall be able to arrange, though we have not one spare 
room anywhere, and I feel you will be rather squeezed. 
How I look forward to meeting you again, after a year of 
separation, I can't say ; and I am so glad that it will be 
under our roof that our joyful embrace will take place. 
As Uncle Louis is to have the Garter, may not Affie bring 
it to him tuithout ceremony ? He would like it so much 
better, if it can be so. 

On the 17th Louis goes to Oberhessen to shoot caper- 
cailzies, and he deposits me and the children at Lich on his 
way, where he will join us again for my birthday. 

Anna was safely delivered of a little girl this morning, 
and is doing well. 

April 15. 

. . . We have been very anxious about Anna ® the 
last few days, for she has had fever since the 9th, and 
shivering still yesterday. 

We have a great deal to do this morning, so I can write 
but shortly. 

^ This sport is practised in the evening twilight. 

8 Prince Louis's sister, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. 
She died on the 16th of April, 1865. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 93 

We have fine weather at length, and are out a great 
deal. 

Yesterday we took the Sacrament at nine, and numbers 
of people with us. The service lasted till past eleven, with 
a pause between. 

• April 18. 

This is really a dreadfully sad death in our family,, 
and will be a blow to m}^ dear parents-in-law, which will 
weigh them down for many a day. They who lived so 
retired, and to whom the f amity life was all — Anna the pet 
— ' das Prinzesschen,' whom they gave up so unwillingly, 
and with whom they corresponded daily ! It will be a. 
blank in their existence, which I can't bear to think of? 
Such tender loving parents ! My poor Louis was dread- 
fully distressed, though he feared the worst all along since 
we knew that Anna had fever. He left with Grolmann, 
having passed a dreadful morning. All the old servants, 
tutors, friends, came crying to us. Since he is gone I have 
passed sad lonely hours : and poor old Amelung ^ comes> 
and sits in my room, sobbing that she should ever have 
lived to see this day. 

Yesterday morning I went to the Eosenhohe and picked 
flowers from Anna's garden, and wound a large wreath, 
which I have sent to Louis to place on her coffin. The 
three brothers feel it dreadfully — the first rent in the family 
circle is always hard to bear, and she so young, so good, so 
happy ! I hear the poor little baby is nice. 

Yesterday night Anna was taken into the Schlosskirche 
[Palace Chapel] upon Louis's arrival, after a journey of 
twenty-seven hours. I hope he won't be ill after all this 
Gemilthsbeivegung [strain upon his feelings] , and fatigue 
always upsets him and makes him sick, and he feels all so- 

^ Nurse of tlie Prince Louis and his brothers and sister. 



94 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

deeply and warmly. It is so shocking. I can think of 
nothing else ; and I am very low and sad being so alone, 
and the warm weather makes one miwell. 

The poor Cesar ewitch has passed a tolerable night. I 
fear he is so reduced he can't get through it. The Empress 
doats on this son, and he is so like her. The poor Em- 
peror has left for Nice. 

April 21. 

Oh, it is sad, very sad ! Life indeed is but a short 
journey, on which we have our duty to do, and in which 
joy and sorrow alternately prevail. Anna was very good, 
very unselfish, and a true Christian, with her gentle, 
humble spirit, and as such she was loved and admired. 
What rare people my parents-in-law and their children are, 
I can't tell you — such childlike faith, such pure unselfish 
love to each other ; I really feel unworthy to belong to 
them, and they are dear to me beyond description. As I 
have shared their joys, so with all my heart do I share 
their sorrow, and fervently pray for them ! You will un- 
derstand this, darling Mama. From you I have inherited 
an ardent and sympathising spirit, and feel the pain of 
those I love as though it were my own. To-morrow I have 
wished that there should be in the Palace Chapel a funeral 
service at the same time as the funeral at Schwerin, and 
all the people here seemed pleased at my wish. Bender, 
who taught her, confirmed her, and who married her not a 
year ago in that very church, will perform the service. 

Poor Dagmar ! what a journey for her, poor child ! 
She begins her troubles early enough. 

April 24. 

. . . Many thanks for your kind letter, and for all 
the kind wishes for my birthday. It will be sad and quiet ; 
but I hope my beloved Louis will arrive to-night, and be 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 95 

with me again — such cause for joy and thankfulness. 
When I have liim, all sorrow is turned into peace and 
happiness. Could I but know you still had darling Papa 
at your side, how light would my heart be ! Once when we 
have all fulfilled our allotted duties, and overcome that 
dark night, then, please God, we shall be together, never 
again to part ! 

The sympathy of all does my sorrowing family good, 
for it soothes so much ! I had a few lines, so tender, so full 
of faith, from my dear mother-in-law to-day. Since Ella's 
birth I know to understand and love her most dearly. She 
suffered dreadfully, but no complaint passes her lips. She 
consoles her husband, her son-in-law, and this, with prayer, 
enables her to bear that which has almost broken her heart. 

April 25. 

. . . Dear Louis returned last night well, and 
bringing good accounts of his parents. They remain there 
still a little longer, to arrange Anna's things. At Frank- 
fort, at eleven last night, we met ; it was so warm. 

The poor Cesarewitch is gone ! The Emperor and 
Empress are coming here in ten days ; what sad meetings ! 

How warm it has been daily since a fortnight, I can't 
tell you ! We sit all day in the garden, take tea there, 
drawing-lessons, &c. 

April 29. 

I thank you so much for your kind s^anpathising 
letter. All my famil}^ are so grateful for all the kindness 
and sympathy you have shown them on this sad occasion. 

To-day Uncle Louis arrives ; on Monday the Emperor 
and Empress, and children. What a sad meeting ! They 
go to Jugenheim direct, where last year they were so happy 
all together. I hear the Empress is worn out, mind and 



96 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

body ; and she insists, instead of finishing her cure, on 
going in a fortnight to St. Petersburg to meet the remains 
of her child, and to do him the last honours. Louis fears 
that it will be more than her feeble frame can endure. In 
the Greek Church, too, the night Masses are long and ex- 
hausting, and she is sure to wish to do all. 

"We spent my birthday as every other day, and the 
weather was heavenly. I am painting in oil now, and that 
interests me much. I find it much easier than water- 
colours. 

I hope Affie will come to pay his respects to the- 
Eussians. If you send them a kind message through him^ 
it would please them much. 

May 2. 

. . . How well I understand your compassion being 
alike for mourners in all positions of life. It is but right 
and natural, and I can't imagine one's feeling otherwise. 

May 6. 

To-morrow morning my poor parents-in-law arrive. 
What a meeting, and what a return ! My father-in-law 
and the Empress ^ are each other's favourites, and under- 
stand each other so perfectly. It will be a consolation to 
both to pour their hearts out to each other, and share each 
other's sorrow. My dear father-in-law wrote to Aunt 
Marie : ' Although my heart is sorely depressed, yet it is 
even more filled with gratitude than with sorrow, that the 
good God has given us two such dear children, though but 
for a brief space.' He is so touching in his grief. 

May 8. 

I find my dear parents-in-law pretty well, but poor 
Mama so terribly tired. She was dreadfully overcome 

* She was the only sister of Prince Charles of Hesse. 



t865 in her new HOME. 97 

in coming home, and at the several meetings. He looks 
much older, as, indeed, does also the poor Emperor, who 
parted yesterday to go to St. Petersburg. Dear Aunt 
Marie seems very weak, and they both, together with my 
parents, make such a sad picture to look at. But they all 
like to speak of those they have lost. My parents-in-law 
and we go this week to Uncle Louis to Seeheim for three 
weeks. 

Seeheim : May 12. 

You can't think what real pleasure your pretty 
locket gave my mother-in-law. She was deeply touched by 
the kind thought and the considerate attention of the gift 
— with what was engraved on it. She was so very much 
pleased with it, and put it on the moment she received it. 
The photograph is to be put in. To-day, Anna's wedding- 
day, it arrived. 

We have been here since yesterday afternoon — my 
parents-in-law and Uncle Louis. The suite are on leave 
of absence, so we are quite enfamille. 

Yesterday, Serge's birthday, we went with Uncle and 
Aunt to the Greek Mass, which lasted more than an hour. 
We dine daily at the Heiligenberg. This morning also we 
were there with our parents and children ; and Aunt Marie 
[the Empress of Eussia] kept Ella half an hour on her lap, 
playing with her, which the little one enjoyed very much, as 
she is particularly sociable and amiable. Victoria romped 
with her cousins — Aunt Marie's two, and Uncle Alexander's 
four. 

Seeheim : May 15. 

. . . To-day Michael and Cecile arrive, and on 
Tuesday the Emj)eror and Empress recommence their 
journey homewards. The return will be for both most try- 
ing. Aunt Marie spoke with me about her sons, their 

H 



98 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

education, &c., very long last night. Her whole life she 
has studied and lived for Nike [the late Cesarewitch], that 
he might become that which was necessary for his future ; 
and she was much more with him, and they were both 
much more intimate together, than she is with her other 
children. Affie came here on Saturday, and I am so glad to 
have him and hear some news of you. At this moment he 
and William are in the room shooting at a target out of 
the window, which makes no little noise. 

May 20. 

. . . We mean to remain here in the Bergstrasse 
with our parents ; it seems to console them ; but my father- 
in-law makes me very anxious, and is so nervous. Poor 
Mama ! so soft, so tired, so unlike herself, cela fait jntie. 

On the 5th the Grand Duke is going to receive the 
Oarter. You shall have an account of all. 

Affie is here, and to-day dear Arthur comes for a few 
hours. I shall be so pleased to see him again. 

Seeheim : May 21. 

. . . Yesterday the Emperor and Empress and 
children left. So sorry to see them go ! God knows when 
we shall all meet here again. We have been so much 
together, and so intimately, that I have grown very fond of 
them, and am very sad at the thought of the long and 
uncertain separation. Dear little Arthur was here, looking 
very well. The wooded hills here are so nice to ride about 
on, and the country is very beautiful. 

May 31. 

I read serious books a great deal, and of a Sunday 
together we read out of Eobertson's sermons. In the 
second series there is one, ' The Irreparable Past ' for 
young people, so cheering, so encouraging, so useful. Louis 



186:; IN HER NEW HOME. 



99 



read it to me on his return from Schwerin after poor 
Anna's death. A short life indeed, and it makes one feel 
the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of labour, self- 
denial, charity, and all those virtues which we ought to 
strive after. Oh, that I may die, having done my work and 
not sinned with Unterlassung des Guten [omission to do what 
is good], the fault into which it is easiest to fall. 

Our life being so quiet gives one much time for earnest 
thought, and I own it is discouraging to find how much one 
fails — how small the step of improvement is. 

I suffer still so much, and so often, from rheumatism. 
I am taking warm soda-baths in the morning for it, and 
am rubbed afterwards with towels which have been dipped 
in cold water and then wrung out. It is not very pleasant. 

June 4. 

. . . The weather is very beautiful, and we had tea 
yesterday at Schonberg, the castle of young Count Erbach, 
whom Louis presented to you at Windsor. Could you tell 
us for certain when you intend going to Coburg, and when we 
are expected there, as we are going to the sea to bathe for 
Victoria and myself, and we would arrange our time 
accordingly ? I require some sea air after the great heat, 
and after baby's weaning ; also before Scotland it would be 
good, for I have so much rheumatism. Some sea water 
will strengthen me. 

June 7. 

. . . You know how very Scotch we both are. Louis 
is devotedly attached to Scotland and his Scotch friends. 
Do tell them so always. But now I must tell you of yester- 
day. In the morning Affie, we, and our suite, drove into 
town for the investiture. At half past three I drove with 
my ladies, a Kammerherr [Chamberlain], Becker, &c., to 

h2 



loo IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

the Schloss, where Uncle Louis received us in shortsl 
Then Affie and Louis in their whole Garter dress arrived 
in a carriage with six horses and an escort. Uncle Louis, 
before the throne, and the family, Court, corps diplomatique, 
&c., received them. Affie read in English the address, to 
which Uncle Louis answered in German ; then Affie buckled 
on the Garter ; then Louis helped him to put on ribbon, 
cloak, &c., and fastened the sword on him, which was no 
easy task ; but they acquitted themselves to perfection, and 
went out through the long Kaiser saal backwards, bowing. 

There was a large dinner afterwards, at which your 
health was proposed by Uncle Louis, and in return Affie 
gave his. You have made a happy man, and he feels the 
honour — as he said to me in English — * utmostly ' ; and 
he wishes me to repeat once more how grateful he is to 
you. ... 

Affie did not return here last night ; he slept at Darm- 
stadt, and left this morning for Amorbach. To-day Uncle 
Ernest is coming to us, but only for one night. As we 
have again to go into town to fetch him, and it is very 
warm, I must close. 

Seeheim : June 15. 

. . . How it will amuse and please us to show the 
good excellent Scotchmen our home. It is a pleasure to 
hear of such devotion and attention to you as Brown's is, 
and indeed you are so kind to him, that his whole happiness 
must consist in serving so good a mistress. 

I think you will be pleased to hear of a most kind and 
touching tribute which the Erauen [women] of Darmstadt 
have paid me. Two hundred and fifty have subscribed to 
have a splendid picture painted for me, by P. Weber, of 
Loch Katrine. I am to see it on Sunday. It is very much 
admired, and they sent the painter to Scotland to do it, 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. loi 

thinking that something from my own country would please 
me most. Is it not kind of them? It has given me so 
much pleasure — but of all things the feeling which has 
prompted them to do it, as it shows me that, though I have 
been here so short a time, they have become attached to 
me, as I am with all my heart to my new home and 
country. 

Now about myself. I have weaned Ella, last Saturday, 
and can only say that my health has never been so good, 
nor have I been so strong or looked so fresh and healthy as 
I do now. When Uncle Ernest saw me he said I looked 
again as I did as a girl, only rather fatter. 

Ella crawls now, and is very strong ; she has her first 
two teeth. Victoria is very wild, and speaks more German 
than English. I think her rather small, but other people 
say she is not. She goes out walking with her Papa before 
breakfast quite alone, with her hands in her pockets, and 
amuses him very much. 

June 19. 

Many thanks for your last letter from dear Balmoral. 
The parting from that lovely place must always be sad, 
and there is something in mountains which attaches one so 
much to that scenery. 

Yesterday was a very trying day for my poor mother-in- 
law (her birthday), and she was very low, but, as all along, 
so resigned, so touching in the beautiful way she bears her 
grief; so unselfish with it, never wishing to make others 
sad, or to be less interested in their concerns than for- 
merly. 

Dear Mary Cambridge has been here, and we enjoyed 
her visit so much. We took her back to Frankfort to- day, 
where we gave her and Aunt Cambridge a luncheon in 
Uncle Louis's Palais. 



I02 



IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 



June 21. 

It is warm, but very windy and dusty here ; we 
were nearly blinded out riding yesterday evening. I am 
reading that most interesting History of England by 
Pauli, in German, which commences with the Congress of 
Vienna in 1815, and is, I believe, very detailed and cor- 
rect. It gives a sketch also of the reign of George HI., 
and is so well written one can scarcely lay the book down. 
It is part of a work written by the best German professors 
on England, Eussia, Italy, France, Spain, and Austria in 
those years, and I am reading them one after another. 
They are thick books, and eight volumes. 

Kranichstein : July 2. 

We both thank you for your kind wishes for our 
wedding-day. It was rainy and not fine, but we spent it 
very happily indoors — Affie and Mary with us. Dr. Weber 
now wishes (as we should have to go from Blankenberghe 
back to Coburg, and then again all the journey back), that 
I should not bathe at all this year, as all the good would be 
undone by the hurried journey, and the excitement of the 
sea air might not be good for Victoria. We are all to go 
instead for four weeks to Switzerland, beginning with Eigi 
Kaltbad, and this we greatly prefer. We go into the moun- 
tains at once for the bracing air. On Saturday until 
Tuesday we go to Baden for the christening of the baby. 
We both are god-parents. 

Kranichstein : July 10. 

. . . Ella already says, since some time, * Papa ' and 
* Mama,' and calls herself, and crawls, and is very forward 
and merry — such a contrast to Victoria, who is so pale and 
fair, and now thin, for Ella's eyes are so dark blue, and her 
hair of such a rich brown, that you would never take the 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 103 

little things for sisters. They are very fond of each other, 
and so dear together, that they give us much pleasure. I 
would not change them for boys, if I could ; this little pair 
of sisters is so nice, and they can be such friends to each 
other. 

I hope you will be comfortable here, but we are much 
annoyed not to be able to be there to receive you. None 
of the family will be here, save perhaps my mother-in-law 
with poor Fritz Schwerin, who is expected then. 

We mean to start on the 25th, and we go as private 
people, on account of the expense. We are only going to 
the Oberland, and shan't go very far about. 

Kranichstein : July 17. 

... It was 95° in the shade yesterday at eight in 
the morning, and I think the heat increases. Dr. Lyon 
Playfair lunched with us yesterday; he is so charming. 
To-morrow morning at 1a.Ye we go to Bonn for the day, and 
shall be there before ten. The heat is too great to go at 
any other time. We start next Tuesday evening, and on 
Wednesday shall be on the Eigi. 

This morning at six o'clock we rode to the exercising — 
I on a new horse, for two hours and a half over sand 
without any shade. 

Mary [Duchess of Teck] has been so kind as to give us 
a boat, which we expect shortly. It is to be christened 
* Mary Adelaide,' after her. 

July 24. 

Many thanks for your letter, and for the sad account of 
Victoria Brand's ^ death. It is quite shocking, and she was 

2 Daughter of M. Van de Weyer, the Belgian Minister Plenipotentiary in 
England. She had been thrown out of her carriage, and died from the effect 
of the injuries received. 



I04 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

my dearest friend of those contemporaries, and the one I 
saw the most of. * In the midst of life we are in death ' ; 
and the uncertainty of all earthly things makes life a real 
earnest, and no dream. Our whole life should be a pre- 
paration and expectation for eternity. Merry as she was, 
she was yet very serious and thoughtful ; but what a loss 
she will be to her poor parents and husband ! 

I have made all arrangements for your comfort here. 
I own I do not like your coming here when we and the 
whole family are away — it looks so odd ! I forgot to tell 
you, in answer to your question about Ella's name, that 
she of course must be called * Elizabeth,' entre nous only 
* Ella,' for she bears my dear mama-in-law's name. 

Eigi Kaltbad: August 1. 

I am enchanted, delighted with this magnificent 
scenery. Oh, how you would admire it ! When I am 
sketching, I keep telling Louis how much more like you 
would make the things ; one can always recognise the 
places when you draw them. 

We left Darmstadt at eight Wednesday morning, the 
26th, slept at Basel that night, and we got there early 
enough to see the fine church in a thunderstorm. The 
next day we only went to Lucerne, as the weather was not 
fine enough to ascend the Eigi. It was a lovely afternoon, 
and the lake of a marvellous green colour. The Pilatus 
was quite clear for a few hours. The next morning we 
two, the children, Moffat, Harriet the nursery-maid, 
Logoz and wife, Jager, and Beck, our whole party, started 
in a very crowded steamer for Waggis. Splendid weather, 
though cloudy. We then, on horses and in chairs carried 
by three or six men, made our ascent along a winding, 
narrow, steep path, below rocks, past ravines, where little 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 105 

chalets are situated, and all over the green pasture cows 
and goats feeding with bells round their necks. Wester- 
weller was here when we arrived ; he acts courier, and 
when we make long expeditions remains with the children. 
This is a very roomy hotel, crammed full of people, among 
them some odd Austrian ladies whom we see below walk- 
ing on the terrace — very smart, and smoking. We two 
have been on mules with a guide — such a funny man, who 
was a soldier at Naples, and was at the siege of Gaeta — on 
all the expeditions hereabout. 

To-morrow we leave, and go till Monday to Buochs, on 
the other side of the lake ; then to Engelberg, where Uncle 
Adalbert and his wife will be. The children are well ; 
Victoria very troublesome, but Ella good and amiable as 
ever. As I am writing at the window, the clouds cover the 
lake and the lower mountains, and I can only see the quite 
high ones with glaciers, which are of such a splendid 
shape. 

The colour of the Scotch mountains is, I think, finer ; 
but here they are, first of all, so enormously high, and then 
such fine shapes, and the mountains are studded with trees 
and rocks down below, and of a green colour. 

The air is very light and cold, but the sun intense. We 
are going off for the day again on our mules, so I must 
close. Of course many funny incidents take place, which I 
reserve to tell you when we meet. 

I do hope the heat will be over for your journey, and 
that it will be fine when you are at our dear Kranichstein. 
Marie Grancy will be there to receive you, and do anything 
which is required. 

Engelberg, Hotel Titlis : August 8. 

These lines I send by Becker, and hope you will 
receive them at Kranichstein. ... I hope you found all 



io6 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

you wanted in the rooms, and that the meals were as you 
Hke them. I ordered all, and wrote all down hefore leaving,, 
as I know what you like. 

We were for some days at Buochs, a very pretty vil- 
lage; and we lived in three detachments in different com- 
mon Swiss houses, very comfortable on the whole, but not 
smelling very nice, so that I could scarcely eat while we- 
were there. 

Yesterday morning, in a very funny two- seated carriage 
with one horse, we left, the children and servants following 
in a bigger carriage. A nearly four hours' drive through 
the most beautiful scenery, up a narrow valley through 
which the Aa runs, brought us here. The last two hours 
are a steep ascent on the side of a precipice; beautiful 
vegetation through the wood all the way upwards ; view on 
the high mountains with snow and glaciers close by. On 
coming to the top, there is a narrow and lovely green 
valley studded with peasants' cottages, and in the centre a 
Benedictine Abbey, near which our hotel is situated. The 
valley is of very green grass ; the tops of the mountains 
quite rocky, with snow. Lower down, and skirting the 
valley, which is quite shut in by the hills, fine trees ; seve- 
ral very high waterfalls, in the style of the Glassalt (near 
Balmoral), only much higher. This Alpine valley is said 
to give the most perfect idea of a Swiss valley up in the- 
mountains. One can ascend the Titlis ; but it is said to be 
dangerous, so we shan't attempt it. We are very careful, 
and Louis won't undertake anything risky. The scenery 
seen from the carriage merely is so splendid that one may 
well be content with that. Unfortunately, to-day it pours, 
and it is very cold. The children are very well. The- 
journey has really done Victoria good, and she begins to^ 
have an appetite, which with her is a very rare thing. 

The next place we go to is Meyringen. We mean to- 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. 107 

ride there over the Joch Pass, but the children must go 
back the same way to get round, as there is no other way 
out of this valley. We will leave them then with Wester- 
weller, and go to the Grindelwald, Interlaken, &c. ; and 
then return home by the 29th x^robably. The children are 
living in a cottage here also. 

Pension Belle Vue, Traclit bei Brienz : August 14. 

. . . Our ride from Engelberg over the Joch Pass, 
to Meyringen was quite beautiful ; but a worse way than 
any we have ever been out on in Scotland. We were eleven 
hours on the road, and the sun was very hot, and the walk- 
ing on these steep bad paths made one still hotter ; but we 
enjoyed it very much, and I never saw anything grander or 
more magnificent. ... I have made little scribbles on the 
way. . . . To-day we two with two horses were to have 
walked and ridden to the Grindelwald, over the Eosenlaui 
glacier, and to have gone on the next day to Interlaken, 
but the weather is so bad that it is impossible, and, not 
being satisfied with the prices, &c., at the hotel of Mey- 
ringen, we came on here, an hour's drive, near to the 
beautiful falls oftheGiessbach, which we saw on Sunday. . . . 
The weather will determine whether we can make an expe- 
dition to-morrow. 

We shall be home on Friday by Thun and Basel, where 
we sleep. What day are we to be at Coburg, and for how 
long exactly ? I believe only two or three days. 

The white heather is from above Engelberg, near Brienz. 

Pension Belle Vue : August 15. 

I have this instant received your dear letter from 
Kranichstein, and, though only just returned from an expe- 
dition to the Eosenlaui glacier, I sit down at once to thank 



lo8 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

you with all my heart for such dear lines. How glad I am 
all was comfortable, and that you were pleased with your 
day in our nice Kranichstein ! I am glad you missed us 
^ little. . . . But I must tell you of to-day. We drove to 
Eeichenbach, close to the falls, took a guide and horses, 
and in two hours by a steep stony path got to Eosenlaui. 
The view on the Wetterhorn, covered with snow, and on 
the Wellborn, which is a rugged rock on the other side of it, 
the white sparkling glacier, is quite beautiful. The shapes 
and immense height of the mountains are so imposing. I 
look, admire, wonder ; one can't find words to express what 
one feels. How you would admire the scenery ! Papa was 
so fond of it all. 

Kranichstein : August 21. 

These will be my last lines until we meet. We 
returned here well, having unfortunately, though, much 
rain from Interlaken to Basel. At Thun we were in the 
same hotel as Blanche and Mademoiselle Bernard, and to- 
morrow we expect Uncle Nemours, Marguerite, and Alen9on, 
whom we asked to dinner on their way to Frankfort. 
I am mostly at the Eosenhohe with my mama-in-law, as 
she is quite alone. I was in town with her, and read to 
her this morning ; she is ever so dear and kind. I do love 
her so much. Ever since Ella's birth we have been drawn 
so closely to each other^ and I admire her also now that I 
know and understand her. There is so much beneath, so 
much Gemilthy tenderness, and delicacy of feeling. It is 
indeed a blessing to have such people as they are for 
parents-in-law. 

September 1. 

Uncle George was here yesterday. Vicky remains 
with us till the 5th, and it gives me so much pleasure to 
be able to repay her for her hospitality this winter. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. lo^ 

We were at the christening of Becker's baby, which 
went off so well. In the morning we had had to ga 
through High Mass for the inauguration of the Grand 
Duchess's monument in the Catholic church. 

Poor pai^a-in-law, who went to bathe for his headache, 
has had such a return of his cough that he is coming back 
here on Monday. I hope they will go to Switzerland later. 

Kranichstein : September 8. 

. . . After having missed the train they intended 
to come by, Bertie and Alix arrived at three o'clock. They 
dined with us. Louis then took him to the theatre, and I 
drove her about. 

My poor father-in-law's throat is very bad, and gives 
him much pain. I am really very anxious about him. 

We leave to-morrow afternoon at four, and shall spend 
the following day at Ostend, embarking in the evening. 
Till the end of the week we intend stopping in town, and if 
Bertie and Alix remain longer we shall leave by the limited 
mail (for Balmoral). 

Inverness : October 8. 

This is a very fine town, and the country is very 
beautiful. We took a walk this morning, and shall drive 
this afternoon. It was thought better not to go to a kirk, 
as the people seemed to look out for us. 

Again a thousand thanks for having arranged this nice 
journey for us, which we enjoy so much. I thought so 
much of you and dear Papa yesterday during our ride.^ 

Sandringham : November 16. 

... I am pleased that the children are well under 
your roof. I know they have all they can want. Bertie 

^ See Leaves from a Journal — Grantown, 1860. 



no IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

had such bad toothache yesterday : Louis also a Httle ; the 
cold air must be the cause, for it is so sharp here. 

Alix and I practise together for an hour of an evening. 
. . . Alix drove me down to the sea the other day, and a 
most alarming drive it was, for the horses pulled, and to 
our astonishment the coachman suddenly alighted between 
us, with his feet in the air, from the back seat, and caught 
hold of the reins— it was too funny. I hope to be near you 
again on Saturday. 

Coblenz : November 25. 

. . . Having just a quarter of an hour to myself 
before leaving this, I hasten to write to you a few lines to 
tell you that we have travelled quite well so far. May will 
have told you about our passage. I have been sick ever 
since, which is dreadful. Henry and William joined us at 
Bonn, and came here with us. 

The Queen was most kind. "We spent the evening most 
pleasantly en famille with her, and whilst we dined alone 
together she had to go to a town ball. 

Darmstadt : November 28. 
... I find my father-in-law looking better, I am 
happy to say, though far from strong ; and alas ! one of 
his lungs is affected. Though, with care, one can guard 
him from evil consequences, still of course it is an anxious 
thing. All the family are very grateful for your kind 
messages, and send their respects to you. 

. . . The children are very well, and Victoria said to 
my mother, ' Meine Grossmama, die Koniginn, has got a 
little vatch with a birdie,' and she is always speaking of all 
at Windsor, but principally of the things in your room. I 
am so glad that you are pleased with the children's picture. 
I admire it so much. 



i865 IN HER NEW HOME. ni 

It is warm and damp here. ... I have a great deal to 
do. . . . 

We have been over the new house yesterday, and alas ! 
found many things not quite what they were intended to 
be. . . . 



Darmstadt : December 5. 

Many thanks for your letter received yesterday, 
with the account of Lenchen's Verlobung [betrothal]. I 
am so glad she is happy, and I hope every blessing will 
rest on them both that one can possibly desire. 

I had a letter from Marie Brabant two days ago, where 
she says dear Uncle's [King Leopold's] state is hopeless ; 
but yesterday she telegraphed that he was rather better. 
What a loss it would be if he were to be taken from us, for 
his very name and existence, though he takes no active 
part in politics, are of weight and value. 

Yesterday I was painting in oils, and I copied my sketch 
of the Sluggan, and, if it be in any way at all presentable 
and fit to give, I will send it to you. I ho^De it won't be 
very Chinese, for our sketches had a certain likeness to 
works of art of that country. Louis is very busy here. He 
has begun his military duties ; he has the command and 
Verwaltung [administration] of the Cavalry Brigade. To- 
day he has to go to the Chamber, and he is going to attend 
the different offices — home department, finances, justice, 
&c. — so as to get a knowledge of the routine of business. . . . 
Louis of Portugal and family passed through here yester- 
day, and went to Frankfort. I have inquired if they are 
there still, and if they are we shall try to see them. I am 
so cm'ious to see Marie Pia. . . . 

All our Hofstaat [Court circle] lay their good wishes for 
Lenchen's engagement at your feet. 



112 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

Darmstadt : December 8. 

We are so grieved and distressed at dear Uncle 
Leopold's alarming state, and have given up all hope, the 
accounts are so bad. Oh, were there but a chance for you, 
or for any of us who love him so dearly, to be near him 
during his last hours ! 

December 11. 

Many thanks for your letter. Alas, alas ! beloved 
Uncle Leopold is no more ! How much for you, for us, for 
all, goes with him to the grave ! One tie more of those 
dear old times is rent ! 

I do feel for you so much, for dear Uncle was indeed a- 
father to you. Now you are head of all the family — it 
seems incredible, and that dear Papa should not be by 
your side. 

The regret for dear Uncle Leopold is universal — he 
stood so high in the eyes of all parties ; his life was a his- 
tory in itself — and now that book is closed. Oh, it is so 
sad, and he is such a loss ! I am almost glad this sorrow 
has fallen into those days already so hallowed by melan- 
choly and precious recollections. How I recollect every 
hour, every minute of those days. In thinking of them 
one feels over again the hope, the anxiety, and lastly the 
despair and grief of that irretrievable loss. The Almighty 
stood by you and us, and enabled us to bear it, for I always 
wonder that we lived through that awful time. 

The future world seems so like a real home, for there 
are so many dear ones to meet again. There is something 
peculiarly sad in the death of the last one of a large family 
— to feel that none is left to tell of each other, and of their 
earlier life, which the younger ones could know only through 
their lips. 



e865 in her new HOME. 113 

December 15. 

Many thanks for your letter. I was so anxious to 
liear something of our beloved Uncle's end ; it seems to 
have been most peaceful. 

There will be many Princes at Brussels, I believe. 

How much I thought of you and of dear Papa on the 
14th ! Dear Louis leaves me this afternoon. He will 
reach Brussels at five to-morrow morning, and remain over 
the Sunday. 

The accession of a new King and the honours that have 
tit once to be paid are so painful, following so closely on 
the death of one we have loved and known in that position. 
As the French say : ' Le Eoi est mort. Vive le Ptoi ! ' 

December 20. 

... I was sitting up for Louis till half-past eleven 
with Countess Blucher — who leaves to-day, and has spent 
ii few days with me — when he, and to my astonishment 
Bertie also, came into the room. The next day, alas ! he 
had to leave again at four ; but still, short as his stay was, 
it was a token of his constant love for me, and it touched 
me very much, for I ever loved him so dearly. 

Everything went off well at Brussels, as you will have 
heard. The more I realise that we shall never see beloved 
Uncle Leopold again, the sadder I grow. He had, apart 
from all his excellent qualities, such a charm as I believe 
w^e shall seldom find again. 

The dear Countess is well. We made the dining-room 
into a bedroom for her, and we dined downstairs. I was 
so afraid of her getting cold, if she lived out of the house. 

Darmstadt : December 24. 

. . . How I wish beloved Uncle were brought to 
Windsor to rest there as he had wished ! I wondered so 

I 



114 IN HER NEW HOME. 1865 

much that everythmg had taken place at Laeken, knowing 
that dear Uncle had wished it otherwise. 

Uncle Louis wishes me to thank you once more for the 
Christmas eatables, and my mother-in-law likewise for the 
lovely little frame and photograph. They are both much 
touched by this kind attention on your part. 

Christmas Day. 

... To me Christmas is always sad now, and for 
Louis and his family it was so likewise this year ; my 
parents-in-law felt it very much. We went to the Military 
Church at eight this morning. It is the service we like 
best ; but it was bitterly cold, everything snow white. 

I hope my little picture, though very imperfect, found 
favour in your eyes. It gave me such pleasure doing it for 
you, thinking of you and om* expedition the whole time I 
was doing it. 

December 30. 

This is my last letter this year. In many ways a 
happy one has it been, though it has deprived us of many 
dear and near ones. Each year brings us nearer to the 
Wiederselien [reunion with the dead] , though it is sad to 
think how one's glass is running out, and how little good 
goes with it, compared to the numberless blessings we re- 
ceive. Time goes incredibly fast. 

Every earnest and tender wish from us both is yours, 
dear Mama, for this coming year with its expected events. 
May God's blessing rest on this new union which is to be 
formed in our family, and may dear Lenchen be as happy 
as all those who loved her can wish ! I am so sorry to 
think that I shall probably not see her again until she is 
married ; but I am glad for her sake that the Brautstand 
[the betrothal period] is not to be long. 

I send you a locket with Ella's miniature, which I hope 
will please you. 



At Home and at Work 

1 866-1 872 

* Life is meant for work, and not for pleasure ' i2Wi A^igust, 1866) 



I 2 



1 866 

This year, which brought such hiiportant changes to the 
23ohtical hfe of German}^, was also m many ways full of 
sorrow and trouble to the Prmcess, and the hard and 
pamful struggle through which Germany passed affected 
her very nearly. 

During the early part of the year, the new palace was 
completed, and in it the Princess had the satisfaction of 
seeing her wishes realised, and of feeling both comfortable 
and ' at home.' She was also able during this new year 
to extend the field of her practical usefulness. 

Princess Alice attended some very interesting lectures 
on the necessity of providing special asylums for poor idiots, 
delivered by a very clever and enterprising * orthodox ' 
clergyman from the Odenwald. She took up the idea 
most warmly, and determined to found such an institution 
herself, but in doing this found herself face to face with 
very serious difficulties. The lecturer and those who sided 
with him wished that any institution of this kind should 
bear a strictly religious stamp. The Princess did not agree 
in this view. She wished to separate the religious from 
the practical part of the work. She wished peoj)le to feel, 
that they were bound to help to alleviate sickness and 



ii8 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

suffering (in whatever form) out of mere love to their fellow- 
creatures, and not only as the fulfilment of a religious 
duty. While the Princess always acknowledged the value 
of religious motives in carrying out works of charity, she 
felt strongly, in this particular case, that the treatment of 
idiots should be left to the medical profession, without any 
foreign interference. 

A committee was formed of persons who shared the 
Princess's views, and who were commissioned by her to 
take the necessary steps for carrying out her plans. By 
far the most difficult j)art of the work fell to her own share — 
namely, that of finding the necessary funds. To obtain 
these she organised a Bazaar in her new palace. This was 
a totally novel proceeding in Germany, and well calculated 
to attract a large number of visitors. The Bazaar was 
opened on the 6th of April, and lasted four days. The 
Princess with Prince Louis and her brother. Prince 
Alfred, took an active part in it. The result surpassed 
utmost expectations, a success mainly due to her own per- 
sonal efforts, and to the charm which she exercised over 
all. At the close of the Bazaar she was not only able to 
announce that she had realised the sum of 16,000 florins, 
but that she had also gained the conviction that the whole 
country supported her in her undertaking. 

In spite of the success of this Bazaar, the Princess was 
in later years opposed to a repetition of such an expedient, 
as she felt — what many do — that people often come on 
such occasions for their own personal amusement rather 
than to aid the charity. 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 119 

The war of 1866, which was the consequence of the un- 
fortunate conflict ahout the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, 
was viewed by the Princess with feehngs in which personal 
interests and attachments conflicted with pohtical convic- 
tions. She was so truly German that she felt most keenly 
the struggle between Germans and Germans, or as she 
herself says in one of her letters, ' brother against brother.' 

At times she could not help being downcast, because she 
saw how much her husband and her husband's country 
suffered from it, and because she foresaw how disastrous 
to South Germany the results of such a war must be. 
Prince Louis himself was soon obliged to assume his com- 
mand in the field. 

The Princess gave birth to a third daughter on the 11th 
of July, during the most anxious days of that trying time. 
Prince Louis had happened to be home on leave for a few 
days when the event took place ; but he was obliged to 
leave the Princess on the 14th of July, and to go at once 
into action at Aschaffenburg. As the South-German troops 
had to retreat, all communication with his home for some 
time was cut off. 

On the 21st of July the Prussians under General von 
Goben entered Darmstadt. Prince Louis's parents, who 
were the only relations remaining in Darmstadt, were daily 
with the Princess. On the 8th of August, whilst on her 
way home from visiting her parents-in-law, the Princess 
unexpectedly met the Prince in the street. He had ob- 
tained leave of absence during a short armistice. The joy 
of this meeting can easily be pictured ! The Prince and 



I20 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

Princess together visited the wounded ; and on the 10th of 
August the Prince was appointed by the Grand Duke to 
the command of the Hessian division then in the field. 
By the Grand Duke's wish the Prince went for two days 
to Berhn, and then joined the troops in Rhenish Hesse. 
He took up his quarters in the ' Gelbe Haus ' at Nierstein- 
Oppenheim, and the Princess courageously shared them 
with him — in spite of the cholera then raging there. 
On the 12tli of September — Prince Louis's birthday — the 
little Princess was christened at Darmstadt by the military 
chaplain ; she received the names Irene (Peace) Louise 
Marie Anna. The same day peace was ratified at Berlin — 
that peace for which the brave mother of the child had so 
ardently longed. 

The Cavalry Brigade which the Prince had commanded 
stood sponsors to the child. 

It was only on the 20th of September that the Prince 
and Princess with the Hessian division made their public 
entry into Darmstadt. 



January 2. 

I am at the head of a committee of ladies out of 
the different classes of society to make a large bazaar, in 
which all the country is to take part, for the Idiot Asylum. 
It is very difiicult — all the more as I have never had any- 
thing to do with such things in my life. ... I wanted, for 
the first public thing I undertake, to take in all principles, 
and my mother-in-law has given her name to it. I have 
chosen the committee out of different sets — half adelic/ 
[people of rank] half hilrgerlicJt [of the citizen class], and 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 121 

all these ladies, lialf of ^Yhom I did not know before, come 
and sit in my small room and discuss — and, as yet, do not 
disagree. 

January 6. 

. . . The people here are so much pleased that m^- 
Louis takes such active part in all his duties — military and 
civil, for he attends the different offices, and as General,. 
I hear, he keeps great order where there was until now 
disorder and great abuse of power. Of course, I see him 
much less, and some days scarcely at all. 

On the 14th Ave go to Gotha for about a fortnight, with- 
out the children. 

Gotha : January 19. 

Dear Uncle and Aunt are well, and we are very 
happy here, for they are always kindness itself to us. 
Uncle looks very well, but he grows very stout, I think. 
We saw the Braut von Messina [Schiller's] so well given 
two nights ago. I thought so much of dear Papa, who 
admired it greatly ; and Uncle Ernest told me he had it 
given for you, when 3^ou first came here. 

Gotlia : January 22. 

. . . Two nights ago Uncle, Louis and I, with a 
very clever old actress, read a piece together. Louis re- 
sisted at first, but it went very wtII. You can't imagine 
how mild it is. I have the windows always open. Gustav 
Freitag is here. I am always glad to see him. He is a 
good friend to Uncle, and he is so honest and straightfor- 
ward. 

G otha : January 26. 

I shall be very sorry to go awaj^ from here— the whole 
atmosphere does one good. Dear Uncle is so amusing ; he 
speaks of mteresting things, and has interesting people. 
Our Quaker acquaintances have sent me a great deal 



122 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

for the bazaar, and an old gentleman who heard of it, lOOZ ! 
I could not believe my eyes. They are always so generous : 
and, hearing of my undertaking a work of this sort, they 
sent me this spontaneously. Is it not kind ? 

Darmstadt : February 1. 

It is spring weather here altogether — quite warna 
when one comes out of the house. It is so unnatural. 
The children enjoy it, and are out a great deal, looking so 
well and strong : I wish you could see them. The little one 
is growing up to her sister very fast, and actually wears the 
frocks Victoria wore last year. I wish you could hear all 
the extraordinary things Victoria says. Ella is civil to all 
•strangers — excepting to my mother-in-law, or to old ladies. 
It is too tiresome. There is a large ball given by the 
officers at their Casino to-night, to which we must go. It 
will be crowded and hot. Our house gets on tolerably. 
The housekeeper, a Berlinerinn, comes on the 20th, and 
w^e are told that we can go into the house next month. I 
can't help doubting it, and I regret leaving this nice little 
house, where our first happy years have been spent. I am 
so glad that you have at least been in the new house, so 
that I can always think that you are no stranger to it, 
which makes me like it much better. 

February 10. 

... I am happy to think you are quiet at Osborne 
after all you had to go through. The emotion and all other 
feelings recalled by such an event must have been very 
powerful and have tried you much.^ It was noble of you, 
my darling Mama, and the great effort will bring compensa- 
tion. Think of the pride and pleasure it would have given 

' The opening of Parliament by the Queen for the first time after the 
death of the Prince Consort. 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 123 

darling Papa— the brave example to others not to shrink 
from their duty ; and it has shown that you felt the intense 
sympathy which the English people evinced, and still 
evince, in your great misfortune. 

How to-day recalls those bright and happy former years ! 
There is no cloud without a silver lining, and the lining to 
the black cloud which overshadows your existence is the 
bright recollection of the past blending into the bright 
hope of a happy future ; a small part of it also is the in- 
tense love of your children and nation, which casts a light 
around you which ftiany live to enjoy and admire, and 
which few — if any — possess like you. I wish I could have 
sent a fine nosegay of orange blossoms for to-day, but 
they could not have arrived fresh, so I gave it up. 

Louis sends his tenderest love, and wishes me to say 
how much his thoughts with mine are to-day constantly 
with you. He is very industrious, and has a great deal to 
do now, and, I hear, does all very well. 

Darmstadt : February 15. 

How dear of you to have written to me on the 10th — 
a day of such recollections ! That last happy wedding-day 
at Buckingham Palace, how well I remember it, and all the 
previous ones at Windsor, when we all stood before your 
door, waiting for you and dear Papa to come out. You 
both looked so young, bright and handsome. As I grew 
older, it made me so proud to have two such dear parents ! 
And that my children should never know you both together 
— that will remain a sorrow to me as long as I live. 

Darmstadt : March 10. 

. . . Your idea of Friedrichroda for us was so good, 
hilt alas ! now even that will be impracticable, on account 



124 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

of money. Louis has had to take up money agam at 
Coutts's to pay for the house, and the house is surety. 

We must hve so economicahy — not going anywhere, 
or seeing many people, so as to he ahle to spare as much a 
year as we can. England cost us a great deal, as the visit 
was short last time. We have sold four carriage horses, 
and have only six to drive with now, two of which the 
ladies constantly want for theatre, visits, &c. ; so we are 
rather badly off in some things. But I should not bore 
you with our troubles, which are easy to bear. 

March 16. 

How tr3ing the visit to Aldershot must have been, 
but it is so wise and kind of you to go. I cannot think 
of it without tears in my eyes. Formerly that was one 
of the greatest pleasures of my girlhood, and you and 
darling Papa looked so handsome together. I so enjoyed 
following you on those occasions. Such moments I should 
like to call back for an instant. 

Our house here is quite empty, and the demenagement 
creates such work. To-morrow night we sleep for the first- 
time in the new house. 

March 17. 

I write from our dear little old house. May dear 
Papa's and your blessing rest on our new home, as I am 
sure it will ! It is full of souvenirs of you both— all your 
pictures, photographs of dear brothers and sisters and 
home. It reminds me a little of Osborne, of Buckingham 
Palace, a little even of Balmoral. Could I but show it to 
darling Papa ! If I have any taste, I owe it all to him, 
and I learned so much by seeing him arrange pictures, 
rooms, &c. 

At half-past seven we go into our house to-night. 
Bender is to say a i)rayer and pronounce a blessing, when. 



iS66 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 125 

we with all our household are assembled in hall ; only 
Louis's parents and William besides ourselves. Yours and 
dear Papa's I pray to rest on us. 

March 20. 

That [the death of the Duchess of Kent] was the 
commencement of all the grief ; but with darling Papa, 
so full of tenderness, sympathy and delicate feeling for 
you, how comparatively easy to bear, compared to all that 
followed ! 

. . . We are very comfortably established here, and I 
can't fancy that I am in Germany, the house and all its 
arrangements being so English. When can we hope once 
to have you here ? Of course that is the summit of our 
wishes. Your rooms are on the east side and very cool — 
as you always go abroad when it is hot, and suffer so 
much from the heat. I shall die of it this year, as my 
rooms are to the west. 

March 24. 

. . . Our Grand-Uncle of Homburg has just died, 
so that Homburg falls to Uncle Louis now. But all the 
things of the Landgravine Elizabeth go to Princess Eeuss, 
and her [Aunt Elizabeth's^] rooms are full of beautiful 
miniatures, oil-paintings, and ornaments en masse, like 
Gloucester House. 

I shall be so glad to see dear Affie. His rooms are to 
be ready by this evening. The house is very comfortable, 
but the weather is awful — wind, rain, and sleet. In spite 
of it the house is so cheerful. 

How sorry I am for you that dear Aunt ^ is gone. As 
she was so well this time, it will be a reason more for 
her returning soon to you. 

2 Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain and Ireland, Princess Alice's 
grand-aunt. ^ Princess Hohenlohe. 



126 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

Dear Lady Frances Baillie was with me on Thursday, 
so dear and charming. 

April 2. 

. . . We are Kving in such a state of anxiety and 
alarm. War ^ would be too fearful a thing to contem^Dlate — 
brother against brother, friend against friend, as it will be 
in this case ! May the Almighty avert so fearful a cala- 
mity ! Here, at Mayence and Frankfort, it will begin, if 
anything happens, as there are mixed garrisons ; and we 
must side with one against the other. For Henry, who is 
still here, it is dreadful. He can't desert at such a moment, 
and yet if he should have to draw his sword against his 
country, his brothers fighting on the other side ! Fancy 
the complications and horrors of such a war ! 

For Yicky and Fritz it is really dreadful ; please let me 
hear by messenger what you hear from them. I am sure 
you think of us in these troubled times. What would dear 
Papa have said to all this ? I long to hear from you, to 
know that your warm heart is acting for Germany. 

March 26. 

. . . The dear old Queen Marie Amelie ^ is gone to 
her rest at last, after a long and so stormy a life ! Clare- 
mont is now also altered. How sad those constant changes 
are ! It reminds one again and again that we are on a 
journey, and that the real home is elsewhere. All those 
who work hard and love their fellow- creatures meet again, 
and the thorny path will be forgotten which leads to the 
happy meeting. I sincerely mourn for the dear Queen, 
and she was so kind to me always. I am glad she was one 
of Victoria's godmothers. 

* War between Prussia and Austria was now imminent. 

* Widow of King Louis Philippe. 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 127 

April 7. 

. . . Oiir Bazaar goes off wonderfully : 7,000 florins 
the first da}^ and to-day again a great deal. Affie was 
invaluable in arranging, selling, and assisting in every way. 
There have been crowds these two days, as in England : 
something quite unusual for the quiet inhabitants of this 
place. They have shown so much zeal and devotion that 
I am quite touched by it, as I am more or less a stranger 
to them. 

April 25. 

Thousand thanks for your dear lines, and for the 
money and charming bas-relief of you, which I think very 
good. I thought so much of former birthdays at home 
in Buckingham Palace. They were so happy. We did 
nothing in particular ; merely dined at Kranichstein with 
Uncle Louis in the afternoon. It was warm and fine. 

The money will go at once to Louis' man of business 
towards paying off the furniture, and is, indeed, very very 
acceptable, more so under present circumstances than any- 
thing else you could give us ; and that part of the furniture 
will then all be your present. 

Mays. 

. . . The prospect of war seems to be nearing reali- 
sation. It will be so dreadful if it does. God be with us, 
if such a misfortune befall poor Germany ! These pro- 
spects have already done much harm to trade. The large 
manufacturies send away their superfluous workmen, and 
they sell next to nothing. Most unpo]3ular amongst high 
and low, and amongst people of all opinions, this civil war 
will be. . . . 

I have made all the summer out-walking dresses, seven. 
in number, with paletots for the girls — not embroidered, but 
entirely made from beginning to end ; likewise the new 



128 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

necessary flannel shawls for the expected. I manage all 
the nursery accounts, and everything myself, which gives 
me plenty to do, as everything increases, and, on account 
-of the house, we must live very economically for these next 
years. 

It is so kind of you to give Dr. Priestley his fee, other- 
wise I would have had scruples in giving so large a sum 
for my own comfort. 

If there is a war then, and Louis is away, what shall I 
do ? This is my constant dread and apprehension. As long 
as he comes home safe again — that is all I shall think of. 
Please God to spare me that fearful anxiety, which w^eighs 
■on me now already ; for he, having only a brigade, could 
not keep out of danger, like Fritz in Schleswig. 

I put my trust wholly in the Almighty, who has watched 
over and blessed our life so richly thus far — so much, much 
more than I ever deserved, or can deserve ; and He will 
not forsake us in the hour of need, I am sure. 

These dangerous times make one very serious and 
anxious ; the comfort of faith and trust in God, who does 
all well and for the best, is the only support. Life is 
but a pilgrimage — a little more or a little less sorrow falls 
io one's lot ; but the anticipation of evil is almost as great 
a suffering as the evil itself, and mine always was an anxious 
nature, so I cannot banish the thoughts which all the 
dreadful chances of war force upon one. 

May 7. 

... I am so sorry for poor Louise and Beatrice, 
and whooping cough is a nasty thing, though I wish we 
€Ould complain of that as our sufferings here. Anxiety, 
Avorry without end ! 

Uncle Alexander returned from Vienna two days ago. 
The Emperor, Uncle Alexander Mensdorff, all frantic at 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 129 

being forced into war, but fearing now no more being able 
to prevent it. Cannot the other three Powers interfere and 
step between at this dangerous crisis — proposing a Con- 
gress, or anything, so as to avert this calamity ? 

Henry, who was here on six weeks' leave, as he and 
Uncle Louis were to have gone to Eussia (which now, of 
course, they won't do), had suddenly to return to Bonn, as 
his regiment is made mohil. Uncle Alexander receives the 
command of the 8th Armeecorps, which I suppose and 
hope will be stationed somewhere near here, as Louis is in 
that, and is to go. He means to go to Berlin this after- 
noon for a day to see Fritz, and tell him how circumstances 
now force him to draw his sword against the Prussians in 
the service of his own country. The whole thing is dread- 
ful, and the prospect of being left alone here at such a 
moment (for all our people, nearly, will accompany Louis) 
is dreadful ! If I were only over my troubles I should not 
be so anxious, so nervous and unhappy, as I must say the 
anticipation of all these dreadful things makes me. Could 
I follow in the distance ! But now that is impossible, and 
I have not a single older married person near me. When 
dear Louis goes, of course Westerweller goes too. I still 
pray and hope against hope that there may be no war ; 
even if all the troops are assembled, I hope that the other 
Powers will interfere, and not look on whilst these brothers 
cut each other's throats. It is such an unnatural, mon- 
strous war ! 

The death of Lord and Lady Eivers is dreadful for their 
children, but how blessed for themselves ! I hope Lady 
Caroline [Barrington] will pass by here, which will be a 
great pleasure to me, though she says she can but stop two 
days, as you wish her to be home by the 15th. 



130 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

May 18. 

. . . How glad I am to hear that Lord Clarendon 
is still hopeful ! Here as yet, though there is no distinct 
reason for it, save the repugnance of all to this civil war, 
all still hope to avoid the war. Every day we have occa- 
sion to hear how the Prussians detest this war — army and 
all — and there are constant rows, with the Landwehr in 
particular. Men of forty, who have families and homes 
to look after, are taken away with their sons ; and those 
who have horses are also taken, with their horses : so that 
the wife and children sit at home, unable to do anything for 
their land. It is ruining numbers, and murmurs get louder 
and louder. A revolution must break out if this continues. 
... I do pray most fervently that the King will listen 
to the just advice, in no way derogatory to his dignity, of 
placing the hated question of the Duchies before the Con- 
federation ; but I fear he won't. If he would only listen 
to that advice and disarm, all Germany would do it at 
once — only too gladly — forgetting all the losses in the hap- 
piness of peace restored. Forgive my stupid letter, but we 
live really so in the midst of these affairs, on which our ex- 
istence will turn, that I can think of nothing else. 

Austria can't hold out much longer, and the country is 
getting very violent against the King and Bismarck. The 
Emperor is less able to concede and keep peace. 

Now good-bye, dearest Mama. We are so grateful to 
you for taking the children, if anything .comes to pass. 

May 22. 

. . . Anything you hear of Vicky and Fritz, will 
you write it to me ? . . . The cloud grows blacker every day, 
and the anxiety we all live in is very great. But I ought 
not to write to you to-day of such gloomy things, which, 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 131 

thank God, you only see and hear of from the other side of 
the water. 

May 25. 

. . . The Duke and Duchess of Nassau were here 
yesterday. They, Hke me, are in such an unpleasant posi- 
tion, should it come to blows, which I still hope may be 
averted — for why should we harmless mortals be attacked ? 
. . . We shall be beggars very soon, if all goes on as it 
promises to do ; it is quite dreadful, and the want of other 
people (and dissatisfaction) increases. ... I have ordered 
a good travelling-bag for Louis, for much the same reason 
that some people take out an umbrella in fine weather to 
keep off the rain, and this is to be against a war. ... I 
have a sort of Ahnung [presentiment] that it won't come 
to the worst — for us at least — and here we shall keep so 
quiet, only on the defensive, if attacked. 

May 28. 

. . . There seems a little chance of the dreadful 
prospects being bettered. How I do pray it may be the 
commencement of a better time ; and that, if peace be esta- 
blished, it may be so firmly, so that one may not live in the 
daily dread of new quarrels re-opening between the two 
countries. . . . 

The man who built our house has nearly been made 
bankrupt, and wants money from us to save him from ruin, 
and we can scarcely manage it. The ruin this preparation 
for war, and consequent cessation of all speculations, build- 
ings, or trade, has brought on people is dreadful, and of 
course increases. . . . 

June 8, 

. . . How precious are your words of love and 
sympathy and the hope you still hold to, that war may 
somehow be averted ! It does me good to hear it ; and I 

K 2 



132 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

know how much, and how lovmgly, your thoughts dwell 
with dear Vicky and with me during this time of trial. . . . 

June 13. 

... I fear if the Bund orders the mobilisation, and 
goes against Prussia, our troops will be the first to go, and 
then Louis may get orders to be off any day. It is too 
dreadful ! I Hve in such dread that he may have to go 
just before, or at the very moment of, my confinement. . . . 
I hope Scotland will do you good. Please God, when 
you return matters may be better. If Austria and Prussia 
would only fight out their quarrel together ; but the latter 
has taken refuge with the Bund now, because she wanted it. 

Darmstadt : June 15. 

. . . The serious illness of poor little Sigismund ^ in 
the midst of all these troubles is really dreadful for poor 
Yicky and Fritz, and they are so fond of that merry little 
child. 

We have just received the news that the Prussians have 
crossed our frontier and established themselves at Giessen. 
The excitement here is dreadful, and it is very difficult to 
keep people back from doing stupid things — wanting to 
attack, and so on, which with our force alone would be 
madness. 

Louis— as always — remains quiet; but we live in a per- 
petual fever, alarms being sent, being gehetzt [stirred up] 
from Vienna, as they want the Bund to go with them at 
once. It is a dreadful time. I anticipate it will be the 
close of the existence of the little countries. God stand by 
us ! "Without the civil list Uncle Louis and the family are 
beggars, as all the private property belongs to the country. 

* Son of the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia. See ante, p. 86, 



1866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 133 

It is SO kind of clear Lady Ely to offer to come. I shall 
be very glad of it, for from one day to another I don't know 
what Louis' duties may be ; and, when I am laid up, it is 
so pleasant to have some one who can write to you. 

June 18. 

These lines I send by our children, whom you so 
kindly will take charge of — alas, that the times should be 
such as to make this necessary ! In your dear hands they 
will be so safe ; and if we can give you a little pleasure in 
sending them, it would be a real consolation in parting 
from them, which we both feel very much. 

The state of excitement here is beyond description. 
Troops arriving, being billeted about — all will be concen- 
trated from here to Frankfort. Two days ago the Bund 
telegraphed for Uncle Alexander to come, as the Prussians 
were advancing; we, of course, were all unprepared, and 
the confusion and fright were dreadful ; but, thank God, 
they retreated again, when they got wind that troops were 
assembling. . . . 

June 24. 

. . . The state of affairs is awful ; perpetual frights 
and false news arrive. The Prussians are coming from 
Wetzlar or Bingen ; all the bustle and alarm for necessary 
defence ; it is really dreadful. Louis' chief has his staff 
at Frankfort. Louis' cavalry brigade is there likewise, so 
he has his adjutant, &c., there, and does his work early in 
the morning at Frankfort, returning here in the after- 
noon, which has been kindly allowed on account of me. I 
remain here, of course, as near dear Louis as I can ; and 
now that the children are gone, I have only myself to look 
after. ... I have not the least fear, but my anxiety about 
Louis will be very great, as you can imagine. . . . Collec- 



134 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

tions are already being made for the hospitals in the field, 
and the necessary things to be got for the soldiers. Illness 
and wounds will be dreadful in this heat. Coarse linen 
and rags are the things of which one can't have enough, 
and I am working, collecting shirts, sheets, &c. ; and now 
I come to ask, if you could send me some old linen for rags. 
In your numerous households it is collected twice a year 
and sent to hospitals. Could I beg for some this time? 
It would be such a blessing for the poor Germans; and 
here they are not so rich, and that is a thing of which in 
every war there has been too little. Lint I have ordered 
from England by wish of the doctors ; and bandages also 
they wished for. If you could, through Dr. Jenner, procure 
me some of these things, I should be so grateful. . . . Four 
dozen shirts we are making in the house. Every contribu- 
tion of linen, or of patterns of good cushions, or any good 
bed which in the English hospitals has been found useful, 
we should be delighted to have. . . .' For the moment the 
people beg most for rags ; our house being new, we have 
none. I am tolerably well, and cannot be too thankful for 
good nerves. Louis is very low at times, nervous at leaving 
me ; and for him I keep up, though at times not without a 
struggle. May the Almighty watch over us, and not sepa- 
rate us, is my hourly prayer ! 

In your hands we feel the children so safe, though we 
miss them much. It is so kind of you to have taken them, 
and they are strong and healthy. . . . 

June 25. 

Two words by Lady Ely's courier. I am so glad 
she is here. She performed the journey in a day and 
night without difficulty ; and Christa, who merely came 
from Cassel, took three days coming by road. 

Alas ! to-morrow Louis' division moves on into the 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 135 

country to make room for other troops, and he must go. 
It will be too far for him to return — save with special per- 
mission for a few hours — so we shall have to part. My 
courage is beginning to fail me, but I bear up as best I 
can. God knows what a bitter trial it is ! He is just in 
front, so the first exposed. William is to go in Uncle 
Alex.'s staff, and my poor mama-in-law is beginning to 
break down now. We try to cheer each other. The whole 
thing is so hard : against her countrymen — there where 
Louis has served. The whole thing is so contrecoeur, and 
the Prussian soldiers dislike it as much as we do. 

I am going to Frankfort with ever so many poor wives 
to take leave of their husbands, who march to-day. 

The heat is awful. I have no time to think of myself, 
or I daresay I should have heat, &c., to complain of. Being- 
still off and on with Louis, and having things to do, keeps 
me up ; but when he is gone, and I have no man here to 
reassure me, it will be dreadful. 

I must close. . . . Letters from home noiv are such a 
pleasure ; do let any one write to me sometimes to give me 
news of you all. 

Your own child, 

Alice. 

Darmstadt ; July 1. 

. . . The parting noiu was so hard ! and he feels it 
so dreadfully. I can scarcely manage to write. The heat, 
besides, is overpowering. Our dear wedding-day four years 
ago ! Four years of undisturbed, real, and increasing happi- 
ness. How I thank and bless the Almighty for them, and 
how fervently I pray that we may live over this most bitter 
trial ! 

. . . Whether Henry is engaged or not we don't know. 



136 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

and can get no news of him. At any rate he is cut off 
from news of us and the rest of Germany ; and, as our 
army is moving, and he is on the extreme wing, at any 
moment he may find himself opposite to his own brothers 
and countrymen. It is most painful, and has been to my 
poor father-in-law a great shock, as we all hoped he had 
got away. Please let my brothers know this. They will 
feel for this unheard-of position for three brothers to be 
in. . . . 

Dear Lady Ely is a comfort and support to me, and it 
was quite a relief to Louis to leave her with me. We are 
both so grateful that she came. Christa is quite out of 
sorts about her country, and sees everything black. Marie 
is low about her brother ; and we are so in the middle of 
it all, that an English person who has no one concerned 
in it all is really a relief. 

I am so glad that you are pleased with the little ones. 
You will be sure, I know, not to let them get in the way of 
infection, if there is still any. 

July 3. 

. . . Poor Vicky ! She bears her trial [the death 
of her son. Prince Sigismund] bravely, and it is a heavy 
one indeed. This dreadful war is enough to break one's 
heart. Those lives sacrificed for nothing — and what will be 
the end of it all ? All our troops are gone now, too, and, 
what is so unpleasant, of course we here don't know where 
they go to — where they are. Letters are fetched by the 
Feldpost, and as they are chiefly not near the railroads — 
at least not Louis — we cannot telegraph. At such a moment 
I know dear Louis fidgets dreadfully for news, and I not 
less. Since he has gone I have heard nothing. 

At length letters from Henry have come. He never 
received until the 29th the telegram his parents begged the 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 137 

King to send him on the 18th, for the King said he did 
not know where he was — thought he was in Eussia ! He 
has been in all the engagements, wondering why, as was 
originally arranged, no order came for him to leave. 

I am so very uncomfortable, and it wants courage and 
patience and hope, under such circumstances, to bear all. 
Of course anxiety about beloved Louis is the chief thing, 
and longing for news. The Prussians are collecting a large 
army near Thiiringen, in which direction ours are march- 
ing. Probably Uncle Ernest against ours ! He might so 
well have remained quiet, and sent his troops to Mayence, 
as was settled. 

For dear Lenchen's wedding-day receive every warm 
and affectionate wish. May God's blessing rest on their 
union ! I am so glad you are pleased with the dear child- 
ren. I have already found that likeness in Ella to Affie's 
picture by Thorburn, but she is so like dear Louis. 

July 6. 

. . . There seems a chance of an armistice. I trust 
it is so, and that peace will ensue. The enormous blood- 
shed on both sides this fortnight is too awful to think of. 
Poor Austria ! it is hard for her. But as she is said to be 
ready to cede Venice, then at least the Italian war will be 
at an end. 

Surely the neutral Powers will try and prevent Austria 
and Prussia beginning again ; it is too horrid ! 

The rest of Germany now must knock under ; but that 
is better than again shedding so much blood on the chance 
of getting the upper hand. 

I have had some lines from dear Louis from the north 
of Hesse. He is well ; how I do hope now that they won't 
come to blows. 



138 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

How kind of you to give the children frocks for the- 
wedding ! Will you kiss the dear little ones from me ? I 
miss them very much. 

[In a letter dated July 11, 1866, Prince Louis announces, 
to the Queen the birth of a strong, healthy girl, with ' dark, 
eyes and brown hair.'] 

Beloved Mama, Darmstadt : July 19. 

What a time I have passed during these eight days, 
since Baby's birth ! Firstly, I have to thank the Almighty 
for having preserved my own sweet and adored husband, 
and for the blessing of having had him by me, so dear, so^ 
precious, during my confinement. After three days he had 
to go, and when he got near Aschaffenburg found fighting 
going on. We could hear the guns here. The Prussians 
shot from the roofs of the houses ; they fought in the 
streets ; it must have been horrid. Our troops retreated 
(as had always been intended) in perfect order. The 
wounded were brought in here the following day. The 
13th and 14th they fought. Louis was there on the 14th ; 
since then I have not seen him — God knows when I shall 
again. 

The Prussians have taken Frankfort, and they are at 
home here. No communications allowed ; get no papers or 
letters ; may send none ! An existence of monstrous 
anxiety and worry, which it is impossible for those to 
imagine who have not lived through it. 

I had a letter from Louis from the Odenwald this morn-^ 
ing, written yesterday. They expected to pass Amorbach 
to-day. They are trying to meet the Bavarians, who are 
never to be found. 

I long for a letter from you. We have none at all, and 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 139 

I have had none from you since Baby's bu'th. The people, 
who are such cowards and so silly, fly from here in all 
available droschkies. 

Hoiv I pray some end may soon come to this horrid 
bloodshed ! Ah ! the misery around us you can't imagine. 
Henry has never received his discharge, and has gone un- 
scathed, in spite of being so exposed through all these 
battles. 

I myself am very well, and I don't give way, though 
the anxiety about Louis leaves me no peace. 

Baby is well and very pretty. The time she came at 
prevented a thought of disappointment at her being a girl. 
Only gratitude to the Almighty filled our hearts, that I and 
the child were well, and that dear Louis and I were to- 
gether at the time. The times are hard ; it wants all 
a Christian's courage and patience to carry one through 
them; but there is one Friend who in the time of need 
does not forsake one, and He is my comfort and support. 
God bless you, my own Mama, and pray for your child, 

Alice. 



Friday, July 27, 9 o'clock p.m. 

At this moment the messenger has arrived, to leave 
again at five to-morrow morning. A thousand thanks for 
your dear letter, the first I have received since Baby's birth ! 
To-night (since Sunday no news of Louis) at length I 
have heard that dear Louis is well. These last four days 
they have been fighting again. I had a few lines from him. 
These last two nights he slept in a field, and the country is 
so poor, that they had nothing but a little bread during two 
days to eat. Now the Prussians, having made peace with 
Austria, and having refused it to us, are advancing on our 
troops from three sides. 



I40 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

I can scarcely write ; this anxiety is killing me, and my 
love has been so exposed ! All are in admiration of his 
personal bravery and tender attention to the suffering and 
want of all around. He never thinks of himself, and shares 
all the dangers and privations with the others. 

Louis says they long for peace. He disapproves the 
different Governments for not now giving way to Prussia, 
and begs me to use my influence with Uncle Louis to accept 
Prussian conditions to spare further bloodshed. 

From all parts of the country the people beg me to do 
what I can. 

The confusion here is awful, the want of money alarm- 
ing ; right and left one must help. As the Prussians 
pillaged here, I have many people's things hidden in the 
house. Even whilst in bed I had to see gentlemen in my 
room, as there were things to be done and asked which 
had to come straight to me. Then our poor wounded — 
the wives and mothers begging I should enquire for their 
husbands and children. It is a state of affairs too dreadful 
to describe. 

The new anxiety to-night of knowing a dreadful battle 
is expected, perhaps going on, in which dear Louis again 
must be ! I can scarcely bear up any longer ; I feel it is 
getting too much. God Almighty stand by us ! My 
courage is beginning to sink. I see no light anywhere ; 
and my own beloved husband still in danger, and we 
cannot hear, for the Prussians are between us and them. 
Anything may have happened to him, and I can't hear it 
or know it ! I could not go to him were he wounded. 

What I have suffered and do suffer no words can de- 
scribe — the sleepless nights of anxiety, the long days with- 
out news — hoio I pray it may soon end, and dear darling 
Louis be spared me ! 

In these days I have so longed to hear from you. It 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 141 

would have been such a comfort, and I longed for it 
much. 

If we live, and peace is restored, the country and every- 
thing will be in such a mess, and both of us in such want 
of change, that we must go somewhere ; but we shall then, 
I fear, be next to ruined. You can't think what war in 
one's own country — in a little one like this — is ! The want 
is fearful. I must go to bed, as it is late. I am well, so is 
the little one ; but I can't sleep or eat well all along ; and 
the worry of mind and much to do keep me weak. 

Oh, that we were together again ! Good-bye, beloved 
Mama. These next days I fear will be dreadful. May the 
Almighty watch over dear Louis ! You will pray for him, 
won't you ? 

P.S. — The standard of Louis' cavalry regiment, which 
they did not take with them, and which is usually kept at 
the Schloss, is in my room for safety. 

Forgive the shocking writing, but I am so upset to- 
night, since my messenger of Tuesday returned with Louis' 
letter. 

Darmstadt : August 4. 

. . . The linen, &c., for the wounded has arrived, 
and been so useful ; a thousand thanks for it ! Matters 
here change from one day to another, and I hope Louis 
may soon be able to return mth the troops. Uncle Louis 
I do hope and pray will then return, and I hope he will 
regain the favour which he had lost, for any change now 
would be dreadful. 

My father-in-law is really in such a state since these 
events, and his nerves so shattered, that my mother-in-law 
trembles for him, and tries to keep him out of all. He is 
so angry, so heartbroken at the loss of Oberhessen, which 
is probable, that he wishes not to outlive it. My poor 



142 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

raama-in-law burst into tears this morning in my room, 
where this scene took place. 

I have just returned from having been to enquire after 
the wounded at the different hospitals and houses, which 
are filling fast, as they can be brought from Aschaffenburg, 
Laufach, &c. As soon as I am better, I will go to them 
myself ; but the close and crowded wards turn one easily faint. 

Becker saw Louis three days ago, and accompanied him 
to Munich for a day. I hear he is well, though for six 
nights he had slept out of doors, and the last three nights 
it had poured incessantly ; and all that time — on account 
of ours not having a truce, and expecting to be attacked— 
they were, being such a mass together, without provisions, 
barely a morsel of bread. I am so distressed about poor 
Anton Hohenzollern and Obernitz ; so many acquaintances 
and friends have fallen on both sides, it is dreadful ! 

The town is full of Prussians. I hope they will not re- 
main too long, for they pay for nothing, and the poor 
inhabitants suffer so much. There is cholera in the Prus- 
sian army, and one soldier lies here ill of it. I hope it 
won't spread. 

August 13. 

... It is fearful. Those who have seen the misery 
war brings with it, near by — the sufferings, the horror — 
know well what a scourge it is. May the Almighty spare 
our poor Germany this new evil ! I forgot to thank you 
in Louis' name, as he had told me, for your letter, which 
he found here on his return. He is to-day still at Berlin, 
and we are so grateful for your having written to good 
Pritz. What he can do I know he will. 

Uncle Louis is still at Munich, and I don't think he 
will abdicate ; besides, he is at this moment doing what 
his country wishes. 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 143 

I received a letter from Julie Battenberg, saying what 
Uncle Alexander had written to her about Louis : ' Le 
Prince Alexandre m'ecrit qu'il a obtenu du Grand Due la 
demission de Perglas ' (who commanded the troops so badly), 
" et la nomination du Prince Louis en commandement de 
nos troupes ; il me dit a cette occasion que votre Mari 
pendant cette triste campagne s'est fait aimer et apprecier 
•de tout le monde, qu'il s'est fait une excellente reputation, 
et qu'il sera re9u a bras ouverts par la troupe.' . . . It is a 
-large command for one so young, and with so little experi- 
ence — all the more so, as we don't know how long peace 
may last. He is sent to Berlin, as the country all look to 
Louis to prevent new evil ; and all this without poor Louis 
having any direct position of heir to be able to enforce his 
■opinion. He has no easy life of it. 

The horse you gave Louis he rode in the different 
engagements, and praised him very much. He stood the 
fire quite well, but not the bursting of the shells close by. 

About the children, the 23rd is quite soon enough for 
their departure. 

We shall not call baby * Irene,' unless all seems really 
peaceful, and at this moment it does not look promising. 
I am very sad and dismayed at the whole look-out. My 
mother-in-law was so pleased with your letter, and thanks 
you warmly for it. 

Nier stein, Gelbes Haus : August 17. 

This dear day makes me think so much of you, of 
home, and of those two dear ones whose memories are so 
precious, and who live on with us, and make me often 
think that we had parted only yesterday. 

We are so pleased at your saying that you claim Louis 
:as your son. He always considers himself in particular 
jour child, and if anything helps to stimulate him in doing 



144 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

his duty well, it is the sincere wish of being worthy to claim 
and deserve that title. Darling Papa would be proud of 
him, and pleased to see how earnestly he takes his duties, 
and how conscientiously and unselfishly he fulfils them, 
for he has had and still has many trials — things I can tell 
you of when we meet again. 

Life is such a pilgrimage, and so uncertain is its dura- 
tion, that all minor troubles are forgotten and easily borne, 
when one thinks what one must live for. 

Before leaving Darmstadt yesterday to come here, we 
went to see some of the wounded again. One poor man 
had died since I was last there : he had been so patient, 
and had suffered so much. Another had had an operation 
performed and was very low — he was crying like a child. I 
could scarcely comfort him, he held my hand and always 
moaned out *Es brennt so' [It burns so]. Such nice 
]3eople most of those young men are — very young, and for 
that class so well educated. All who are well enough are 
reading. 

I must praise the ventilation and cleanliness in the 
different hospitals ; in these things they have made won- 
derful progress here. 

We are here in Eheinhessen, as Louis has to take his 
command. This place, Nierstein, lies between Worms and 
Mayence, and all our troops are quartered about here. 
Louis' staff is at Worms, where he himself is to-day, and 
was already last night. 

He was more hopeful about the prospects for Oberhessen 
on his return from Berlin, and had been so kindly received 
by dear Yicky and Fritz. 

When Louis wrote his Farewell to his cavalry brigade 
(who are so sorry to lose him), as a remembrance that he 
and they had stood in the field together for their first cam- 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 



145 



paign, he asked these two reghnents, officers and men, to 
stand sponsors to Baby, as she was born during that tmie, 
and they are deHghted, but wish the child to have one of 
their names ! We wait till the troops can come home to 
christen Baby, on that account. ... I don't think we 
shall be here very long. Whenever the Prussians leave 
Darmstadt, we can return. 

Nierstein, Gelbes Haus : August 21. 

. . . W^e are here still, and all our troops, and Louis 
has a great deal to do. To-morrow the armistice is over, 
and at present we have no news as to its prolongation or 
the settlement of peace ; but it must be one or other. A 
little private war of Prussia against us would be absurd and 
impossible, so the troops remain quartered in the different 
villages about here. The country here is so rich and 
fertile, the villages so clean, with such good houses ; but 
the people are blessed with children to an extraordinary ex- 
tent ! It is the most richly po]3ulated part of all Germany, 
and there are more people on the square mile than in 
England. 

The change of air — though it is but two hours from 
Darmstadt — has done me good, and if later, through your 
great kindness, a little journey should be possible to us, it 
would be very beneficial to both of us. 

This house is quite close to the Ehine, and this instant 
our pioneers have come by from Worms on their pontoon 
bridge singing a quartett, about twenty or thirty men. It 
looks so pretty, and they sing so beautifully. On their 
marches the soldiers always sing, and they have so many 
beautiful songs, such as : ' Der gute Kamerad.' The Ger- 
mans are such a gemilthlich [simple, kindly, sociable] j^eople. 
The more one lives with them, the more one learns to appre- 
ciate them. It is a fine nation. God grant this war, which 



146 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

has produced so many heroes, and cost so many gallant lives, 
may not have been m vain, and that at length Germany 
may become a mighty, powerful Power ! It will then be 
the first in the world, where the great ideas and thoughts 
come from, free from narrow-minded prejudice, and when 
once the Germans have attained political freedom, they will 
be lastingly happy and united. 

But the present state of things is sad, though one should 
not despair of some good resulting from it. 

My letter is quite confused. I beg a thousand pardons 
for it, but I have been interrupted so often. 

Gelbes Haus : August 29. 

. . . The children arrived well and safe, and in such 
good looks. It was a great pleasure to see them again; 
and I tried to make Victoria tell me as much as possible of 
dear Grandma and uncles and aunts, and when she is not 
absent-minded she is very communicative. How much we 
thank you, darling Mama, for having kept them and been so 
good to them, I can't tell you. This change has been so 
good for them ; for now there are both cholera and small-pox 
at Darmstadt, which is still full of Prussian soldiers. More 
have come, and our peace is not yet concluded. I ho]3e it 
is no bad sign, and that the hopes of losing less will not 
disappear. 

We were only in Darmstadt for the day when the chil- 
dren arrived, and we go there for a few hours to-morrow 
on business. Louis has a great deal to do, and all the 
military things are in his hands. 

I am not feeling very well. The air here after a few 
days is relaxing, and I begin to feel more what a strain 
there has been on my nerves during this time. I have 
such a pain in my side again. Mountain air Weber wants 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 147 

me to have, and quiet, away from all bothers ; but I fear 
that is impossible noic, on accomit of Louis not being able 
to leave — and then financially. 

I have some Heimweh [home-sickness] after dear England, 
Balmoral, and all at home, I own, though the joy of being near 
dear Louis again is so great ! But life is meant for work, and 
not for pleasure, and I learn more and more to be grateful 
and content with that which the Almighty sends me, and to 
find the sunshine in spite of the clouds ; for when one has 
one's beloved, adored husband by one's side, what is there 
in the world that is too heavy to bear ? My own darling 
Mama, when I think of darling Papa and of you, and that 
he is not visible at your side now, I long to clasp you to my 
heart, in some way to cheer the loneliness which is a poor 
widow's lot. Oh, none in the world is harder than that ! 

Darmstadt : August 81. 

. . . Thank you for telling me how you spent that 
dear day; it must have been peaceful and solemn, the 
beautiful country harmonising well with the thoughts of 
that great and beautiful soul which ever lives on with us. 
He remains nearer and nearer to me, and the recollection 
of many things dear Papa told me is a help and a stay in my 
actions, particularly of late. The separation seems so short. 
I can see him and hear him speak so plainly. Alas ! my 
children have never seen him. Through you, darling Mama, 
and in your rooms, and at your side, they must learn to 
know him, that they may become worthy of their descent. 

Yesterday we saw the children. Victoria is not quite 
well, but Ella is well, and won't leave me when I come into 
the room ; she keeps kissing me and putting her fat arms 
round my neck. There is each time a scene when I go 
away. She is so affectionate : so is dear Victoria. I send 

J. 2 



148 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

you a photograph of our smallest, who is such a pretty 
child, and very good. 

The peace is not concluded yet ; more Prussians have 
been quartered in and around Darmstadt. The people are 
very angry at this lasting so long. . . . They believe it is 
Strafeinquartierung [done to punish us]. Nothing is settled 
as to what we keep or lose, and we know and hear nothing. 
Waiting here, uncomfortably lodged, the troops impatient 
to go home, as they have nothing to do, gets very irksome. 

Gelbes Haus : September 8. 

... At last the peace is concluded, though not yet 
ratified. The terms are not so bad. We lose the Hinter- 
land and the Domains there, as also the whole of Hesse- 
Homburg — in all sixty-four thousand souls — pay three mil- 
lions contribution, besides having kept a large part of the 
Prussian army six weeks for nothing, which cost the country 
twenty-five thousand florins daily. For Oberhessen we go 
into the North- German Bund, and half the army is under 
Prussian command, which will make a dreadful confusion. 
Louis would prefer having it for the whole, particularly in 
anticipation, alas ! of a coming war. 

The railroads, posts, and telegraphs also become Prus- 
sian ; and they demand, besides, some fine old pictures, 
books, and manuscripts, which had once belonged to the 
Kolner Dom, and were made a present of to this country 
years ago ; and for our Domains no Entschddigung [com- 
pensation]. In exchange for Homburg we get some small 
places— amongst others, Eumpenheim. 

When the peace is ratified and the money paid, the 
Prussians leave the country, which must now be very 
shortly. Until then Louis must stop here, and as he can 
only get leave now and then to go to Darmstadt, and that 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 149 

always uncertain, Baby's christening is still impossible, as 
Louis must be there. She will be called ' Irene Louise 
Marie Anna.' 

Gelbes Haus : September 11. 

. . . Tired of constantly putting off and waiting, we 
settled yesterday to have Baby christened to-morrow, as it 
is Louis' birthday, and to go for the day to Darmstadt. 
Though the Prussians are still there, some of the godfathers 
are coming over, otherwise it will be quite quiet. 

. . . How true and sad is what you say, dear Mama, 
about life and its trials ! Alas ! that it should be you, 
dear loving kind Mama, who have had to drink so deeply 
of that cup of bitterness. Those who possess all they love, 
as I do, can, however, feel all the more keenly, and sympa- 
thise more truly with you for what you have lost, though it 
is a grief we do not know. How I do long always to alle- 
viate this grief for you, dearest Mama; but that is the 
world's trial. None can bear the burden for you. One 
must carry it oneself ; and it wants patience and courage 
to bear such as yours, dear Mama. I feel for you now 
more than ever since during that month I feared from day 
to day my happy life might be brought to a violent close, 
and anticipated all the misery that might come, but which 
the Almighty graciously averted. 

Darmstadt : September 16. 

. . . That you sent Louis, besides the pretty souvenir, 
the money for something in the house is really so kind. 
Our whole dining-room we consider your present, and it is 
furnished as like an English one as possible. 

The name Irene,^ through other associations, is one my 

^ The Princess Charles had a sister, who died when a child, Avho had 
borne that name. 



ISO AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

parents-in-law and we like ; it stands, besides, as a sort of 
recollection of the peace so longed for, and which I so 
gladly welcomed. It will always remind us of the time, 
and of how much we have to be grateful for. 

Darmstadt : Sej)tember 24. 

. . . We are settled here again ; our troops have 
returned and Uncle Louis likewise. The former were re- 
ceived most warmly by the inhabitants and showered with 
nosegays — Louis also, who rode at their head. We saw 
them all in front of the Schloss, and it was sad to see the 
thinned ranks and to miss the absent faces we knew^ so well. 
On the 13th and 14th of July at Frohnhofen, Laufach, and 
Aschaffenburg, out of 8,000 we lost 800 men and 11 officers, 
and of the officers just those who were very intimate with 
the Prussians, and who wished Germany to be united under 
Prussia. 

This afternoon we are going to see after the poor 
wounded, some of whom are still very ill with such horrible 
w^ounds. So much suffering and pain and grief to those 
poor people, who are innocent in this unhappy war ! 

If only now the other sovereigns will forget their anti- 
pathies and the WTongs they have suffered from Prussia, 
and think of the real welfare of their people and the uni- 
versal fatherland, and make those sacrifices which will 
be necessary to prevent the recurrence of these misfor- 
tunes ! 

The poor Homburgers marched by with our troops, and 
their tears and ours fell as we saw them (who had fought so 
bravely under Uncle Louis) for the last time before they 
become Prussians, and return to their homes as such. 

My parents-in-law are gone to Switzerland. Henry is 
become Colonel of the 2nd Guard of Uhlans at Berlin. 



1 866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 151 



October 1. 

... I can but write a few lines, as we are going 
with the children to Uncle Alexander to Jugenheim for a 
few days. The change of air is wanted for Ella, who is 
still pale ; and Irene has never had any change yet, and is 
also rather pale. 

We were at Frohnhofen and Laufach a few days ago to 
see where the unfortunate engagement was, and visited the 
graves of our soldiers. In the middle of a field there is a 
mound, below which some eighty men and some officers lie, 
and so on. It makes a very sad impression, for as our troops 
retreated, and they were buried by the people, none know 
which of the common soldiers or even which of the officers 
lie in the different places. We found some balls, and things 
the soldiers had thrown off during the fight. In one grave 
in the churchyard, the wounded who died afterwards are 
buried. I asked who lay there, and the gravedigger an- 
swered, ' Ein Preuss' und ein Hess' liegen dort beisammen ' 
[' A Prussian and a Hessian lie there together '], united in 
death, and fallen by each other's hand, perhaps. Some of 
the officers who accompanied us, and had not been there 
since the engagement, were much overcome on seeing the 
graves of their comrades. I put wreaths and flowers on 
them, and ordered crosses where we knew who lay there. 

The wounded here are recovering, and I go often to see 
after them. 

As you say, this large Prussia is by no means an united 
Germany ; but, nevertheless, I think the duty of the other 
German sovereigns, in spite of all, is to unite with Prussia 
and place themselves under her, so as to make her unite 
with Germany. Otherwise, the next opportunity, they will 
be annexed. 



152 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

Heiligenburg, Jugenheim : October 7. 

. . . We return to town to-day, leaving the children 
for another week, as the air on the hill is so delicious. 
Louis has so much to do that he can't remain away longer, 
though he went at half-past seven every morning to his 
office, returning for luncheon. 

Darmstadt : October 22. 

On Thursday we are going to Waldleiningen for a 
fortnight and take Victoria with us. The two little girls 
knew your photograph at once, and hegan, of course, to 
talk of you and of England. 

Waldleiningen : October 31. 

... It is quite beautiful here. We found dear 
Ernest, Marie and children well ; the former so kind and 
dear, as they always are. Victoria and Alberta get on 
tolerably together. The little boy is splendid, so strong 
and fat. 

The Castle is so fine and lies just in the midst of moun- 
tains and woods, and there are walks without end — many 
of them reminding me so much of Scotland. 

The Nichels came to see us, and Marie and I played 
with Nichel ^ ; it reminded me so much of the good old times 
to see him. 

Ella's birthday is to be kept when we return. She is 
too small to know the difference of the day. I thank you 
beforehand for the locket for her with dear Papa's picture. 
The children always speak of their two Grandpapas — dear 
Grandpapa in Heaven, and dear Grandpapa in Darmstadt. 
Victoria, hearing Papa so often mentioned, and seeing his 
pictures about everywhere, asks no end of questions about 
him. 

^ Formerly one of the Eoyal Band in England. Madame Nichel had 
been a dresser of the Duchess of Kent's. 



t866 at home and AT WORK. 153 

Darmstadt : November 14. 

I am better, thank you, but I am so weak without 
the least reason, and dreadfully chilly. Still, I go out regu- 
larly in all weathers and take exercise, but of an evening I 
am quite knocked up. 

We always breakfast at half-past eight, as Louis gets up 
early and prefers it ; so that I lead a very healthy life, and 
in spite of that am not well. A change quite into another 
climate for a few months was what I really required ; but 
it was impossible. On that account, dear Mama, I shall 
hope to have a full three months in England when we come, 
and perhaps part of the time with Bertie, if he can have us. 
I went through a great deal this summer during my con- 
finement. The excitement and the will to keep well kept 
me so at the time, but I feel it now, alas ! and show it, too, 
for I am getting so thin again. 

Darmstadt : November 21. 

Dear Vicky's birthday. She will think how happily 
she passed it at Windsor last year, and, though she has 
another child, it cannot replace to her what the other one 
was. 

How glad I am to hear you praise dear Alix ! She is 
so good, tactvoll [full of tact] and true. I love her very 
much. 

I had the pleasure of seeing dear Countess Bliicher for 
a few hours here last Sunday. She came during a dreadful 
snowstorm. The young King of Bavaria is coming here 
for the day to-morrow. . . . 

The large pictures from Homburg — George III., Queen 
Charlotte, George lY., William lY., and the Duke of York 
en pied — Uncle Louis has given us, and now that I have 
given these good people, whom I don't like, the best places 
in our rooms, I should so much like you and dear Papa, 



154 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

which you promised me some years ago from the last 
Winterhalters, or from those in the Garter dress. 

I look forward so much to seeing dear Bertie here, if 
only for a few hours. I suppose Monday or Sunday, if he 
travels day and night, as he leaves on Friday ; it is a very 
long and cold journey. 

November 22. 

A thousand thanks for the precious hook,^ and for 
your dear lines. The former I have nearly finished. I 
got it yesterday morning, and you can well imagine that- 
every spare moment was devoted to its study. 

I think it very well done, and I am only sorry that 
General Grey cannot continue it, as the other persons, I 
believe, did not know dear Papa. The longer I live, the 
more I see and know of the world, the deeper my tender 
admiration grows for such a father. It makes me feel 
myself so small, so imperfect, when I think that I am his 
child, and am still so unworthy of being it. How many 
people here who like to hear of dear Papa ask me about 
him, and you can understand with what pride and love I 
talk of him, and tell them things which make them all 
share our sorrow at not having him here any more ! But 
if ever a life has outlived a man, dear Papa's has done so. 
In my thoughts and aims he ever remains the centre and 
the guiding star. Dear beloved Pajpa, he never half knew, 
how much, even when a foolish child, I loved and adored 
him. His great life will be a model for many and many for 
generations to come, and his great thoughts and aims can 
leave none idle who knew them. 

You kindly ask how I am. Better, thank you, since I 
have begun some bark — quinine I can't take, or else I 
should have been well sooner. 

^ The Early Years of the Prince Consort, by the late General Grey. 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 155 

Victoria I am teaching to read — in playing with cards 
with different letters on them. 

November 30. 

To-day it is six whole years since we were engaged 
to each other in the Ked Drawing-room at Windsor, when 
we in dear Papa's little room afterwards received your and 
dear Pa^Da's sanction to it. And the following year — how 
sad that already was, for darling Papa was beginning to be 
iniwell. How constantly do I think of you, beloved Mama, 
during that fortnight of anxiety and sorrow ! God merci- 
fully spared you to us, though for yourself it was the com- 
mencement of the sad and lonely existence you lead without 
dear PajDa. 

I am sure it is good for little Henry ^ to be this winter 
with you in England : the Berlin climate is very unwhole- 
some. Health is such a blessing. If one has children, the 
first wish is they should be healthy, for ill health influences 
all, and nothing more than temper. 

"We intend, if possible, going for a day or two to Carls- 
ruhe. Poor Louise and Fritz went through so much that 
is painful this summer. . . . 

I read an immense deal now of serious, and what some 
call dry, books ; but it is a great resource to me, and the 
thought of standing still, if one does not study, urges me 
on. The long winter evenings we always spend together, 
and twice in the week receive in the evening, when I play 
on the piano duets with such as play on the violin, and 
pass the evenings very pleasantly. 

Caiisruhe : December 6. 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter ! I congratu- 
late you on all having gone off so well at Wolverhampton,^ 

^ Son of the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia. 

2 The uncovering of the monument to the Prince Consort. 



156 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

and am very grateful for the account. Dear Bertie's visit 
is over, and it has been a very great pleasure to us to have 
seen him again, and to have him under our own roof — 
where we at length had an opportunity, in a small way, 
to return his hospitality and constant kindness to us. God 
bless him, dear brother ! he is the one who has from my 
childhood been so dear to me. 

We have come here, and I think it has pleased good 
Fritz. Louis seems very well. I saw Lady Fanny Baillie 
yesterday, looking dear and pretty as ever. It is a pleasure 
to look at her sweet face. 

Carlsruhe : December 11. 

As every year during these days my thoughts are 
with you, and as each year brings round again the anniver- 
sary of that dreadful misfortune, it seems more and more 
impossible that five years should already have elapsed, since 
He whom we all loved so tenderly was taken from our sight. 
How I thank the Almighty again and again, as this season 
returns, that He spared you to us, when at such a moment we 
trembled for your precious life, fearing that two so united 
in life even in death could not be parted. What should 
we poor children, what would the country have done, 
had that second misfortune come over us ! Yet it 
seemed selfish and unkind to wish for your loving wife's 
heart the solitary widow's existence. How bravely and 
nobly you have borne it ! 

We leave this to-morrow morning, and have spent 
pleasant days here. There was much to talk about together, 
and Fritz is so excellent and so wise, that I am always glad 
to hear him. Dear Louise is well and in good looks, and 
most kind. 

Now I must end, beloved Mama. God bless you and 
comfort you, and in these days let sometimes the thought of 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 



15' 



your absent child, who was at your side during that dread- 
ful time, mingle with the recollection of the past ! 

Beloved, precious Mama, Darmstadt : Dec. 14. 

On awaking this morning, my first thoughts were 
of you and of dear darling Papa ! Oh, how it reopens the 
wounds scarcely healed, when this day of pain and anguish 
returns ! This season of the year, the leafless trees, the 
cold light, everything reminds me of that time ! 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter received yester- 
day. Well, only too loell, do I remember every hour, 
almost every minute, of those days, and I have such an 
inexpressible longing to throw my arms round your neck, 
and to let my tears flow with yours, while kneeling at that 
beautiful grave. 

The tender love and the deep sorrow caused by His 
loss remain ever with me, and will accompany me through 
life. At the age I then was, with its sensitive feelings, it 
made an impression which, I think, nothing can efface — above 
all, the witnessing your grief. Happily married as I am, 
and with such a good, excellent and loving husband, how 
far more can I understand now the depth of that grief, 
which tore your lives asunder ! I played our dear Papa's 
organ under his beloved picture this morning, and my heart 
and my thoughts were in dear England with you all. 

We found our children well on our return, and Irene 
prospers perfectly on her donkey's milk. 

My mother-in-law is so much pleased with the book,^ 
and it has interested her very much. She came to see me 
early this morning on account of its being the 14th. She 
is always so kind and full of attentions. 

^ General Grey's Early Years of the Prince Consort. 



158 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

Darmstadt : Dec. 17. 

How dear of you to have written to me on the 14th ; 
thousand thanks for your letter ! How much I thought of 
all on that day you can imagme ; also what good it did me 
to know, that you still thought of me so kindly with those 
recollections. I am so sorry to hear that you are so suffer- 
ing. I hope Osborne will do you good, and that rest and 
quiet will refresh you. 

Darmstadt : Dec. 21. 

... I hope by this time that you are quite re- 
covered, though this mild damp weather is not made to 
give one strength. I feel it so much also, and am really 
only kept alive by steel, for off and on I am so weak, that 
I nearly faint if I have to stand any time, and this is so 
unpleasant. 

... I am trying to found what is no small under- 
taking : a ' Frauenverein,' to be spread all over the land 
in different committees, the central one being here under 
my direction, for the purpose of assisting the International 
Convention for nursing and supporting the troops in time 
of war, which was founded at Geneva, and to which this 
country also belongs. The duty in time of peace will be 
to have nurses brought up and educated for the task, 
who can then assist in other hospitals or amongst the poor, 
or to nurse the rich, wherever they may be required, in time 
of war. This committee of women has to collect all the 
necessary things for the wounded and for the marching 
troops, has to see to their being sent to right places, &c. 

All these things were done by private people in this 
war, and, though quantities of things were sent, the whole 
plan was not organised, so that there was want and sur- 
plus at the same time. 

In time of peace these things should be organised, so 



i866 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 159 

that, when war comes, people know where to send their 
thmgs to, and that no vohniteer nnrses go out, who have 
not first learnt then busmess. 

The same thmg exists in Baden, in Bavaria, and in 
Prussia, and here it is much wanted. But all these under- 
takings are difficult, particularly in the choice of persons to 
assist one. Still I hope I shall be able to do it. My mother- 
in-law helps me, and I hope before long to be able to begin. 

The Elector is coming here on a visit to-day, and Uncle 
Alexander returned from Petersburg last night. 

Darmstadt : December 25. 

... I have a dreadful cold, and am not very well 
besides, so I can but scribble a few lines. To-day we go 
to the Bescheerung [distribution of Christmas gifts] to the 
wounded in three hospitals. Of course it will be very hot. 

Henry is here for a few days. He looks so handsome 
in his new uniform with his dark beard. He has grown so 
good-looking these last few years, and he is so excellent. 
I am very fond of him. He is likewise so much gayer than 
formerly. 

The good eatables you sent will be given to-night, when 
Louis' parents and brothers come to us for dinner. 

The children have a party for their tree. 

Darmstadt : December 30. 

. . . May the Almighty give you every blessing of 
peace and comfort which the world can still give you, till you 
gain that greater blessing and reward above all others, which 
is reserved for such as my own sweet mother ! May every 
blessing fall on my old dear home, with all its dear ones ! 
May peace, and the glory which peace and order bring with 
it, with its many blessings, protect my native land ; and 



i6o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1866 

may, in the new year, your wise and glorious reign, so 
overshadowed by dear Papa's spirit, continue to prosper 
and be a model and an ornament to the world ! 

This year of pain and anxiety, and yet for us so rich in 
blessings, draws to a close. It moves me more than ever 
as its last day approaches. For how much have we not to 
thank the Almighty — for my life, which is so unworthy 
compared to many others, the new life of this little one, 
and above all the preservation of my own dear husband, 
who is my all in this life. 

The trials of this year must have brought some good 
with all the evil : good to the individual and good to the 
multitude. God grant we may all profit by what we have 
learnt, and gain more and more that trust in God's justice 
and love, which is our guide and support in trouble and in 
joy! Oh, more than ever have I felt in this year, that God's 
goodness and love are indeed beyond comprehension ! 

... I am really glad to hear that you can listen to 
a little music. Music is such a heavenly thing, and dear 
Papa loved it so much, that I can't but think that now it 
must be soothing, and bring you near to him. . . . 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. i6i 



1867 

The experiences of the late war had shown the necessity 
for an efficient and widespread organisation for aid to the 
sick and wounded on the battlefield. Already in 1865 a 
society had been formed in Hesse, with Prince and Princess 
Charles as its patrons, in accordance with the resolutions 
passed at the Geneva Convention in 1863, and had done 
good work in the last war. The nursing of the wounded 
had hitherto been undertaken by * Deaconesses,' Sisters of 
Mercy, and Orders of a kindred nature. 

After the close of the war, those at the head of the com- 
mittee (or society) made themselves responsible, so far as 
lay in their power, for the wounded and disabled, and for 
the families of those who had fallen in the war. It was, 
however, felt to be very desirable that other committees 
should be formed throughout the country for the purpose 
of training specially- qualified nurses. 

The Princess was deeply interested in this question — 
indeed, her whole attention had been directed to it since 
the beginning of the war, after she had seen what was 
done in Baden under the direction of the Grand Duchess. 
She had also before her the example of Florence Nightingale, 

M 



i62 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

and the good she had done durmg and after the Crimean 
War. The Prmcess was naturally fond of nursmg, and of 
all that had to do with it, and she therefore eagerly took 
up the idea of founding a Frauen-Yerein or ' Ladies' 
Union ' — an idea which, under her auspices, was soon most 
successfully carried out. 

She wished lay women and ladies of all classes to join 
in this undertaking, so that the nursing should not be con- 
fined, as heretofore, to religious orders only. After much 
consultation a committee was formed in 1867, consisting of 
six ladies and four doctors, with the Princess as President. 
The central committee of the ' Ladies' Union ' was to be at 
Darmstadt, under the Princess's direction. The other com- 
mittees spread over the whole country. Its object was to- 
assist * the nursing and supporting of the troops in times 
of war,' and in times of peace to * train nurses, to assist 
other hospitals, or amongst the poor, or to nurse the rich ' 
—in fact, to help wherever help was required. Li 1868 the 
members belonging to the ' Ladies Union ' had greatly 
increased, and in 1869 they reached the number of 
2,500. 

The duty of the local committees consisted in collecting 
money and all necessary materials for the wounded or for 
the troops on the march. The central committee did its 
best in times of peace to direct the general attention to 
this most important question by lectures on the subject, 
delivered by medical men. 

At the time the Princess started this undertaking she 
was also much occupied with another all- engrossing sub- 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 163 

ject — viz. the improvement of the condition of poor mi- 
married women and girls, as well as the education of 
girls in general. The Princess found an able assistant in 
Fraulein Louise Biichner — a most distinguished authoress, 
and the champion of women's rights, more particularly of 
the higher education of women. 

With her help the Princess formed another committee 
for the encouragement of ' Female Industry.' A permanent 
Bazaar was established on the 25th of November, 1867, 
called after the Princess, * The Alice Bazaar,' for the pur- 
pose of receiving and disposing of articles of needlework at 
their proper value, and also for obtaining employment for 
women of all classes. The * Bazaar ' soon became a flourish- 
ing institution. 

At the beginning of the year 1867 the Prince and 
Princess went to Gotha, where they met the Crown Prince 
and Princess of Prussia for the first time since the war. 
They then went for a few weeks to Berlin. After the 
threatening rumours of war caused by the Luxembourg 
question had been dispersed, the Emperor Napoleon in- 
vited all the Sovereigns and Princes of Europe to visit the 
great International Exhibition at Paris. Prince and Prin- 
cess Louis, amongst others, accepted the invitation, and 
were at Paris at the same time as the Emperor of Eussia, 
the King of Prussia, and the Crown Prince and Princess of 
Prussia. The Prince and Princess visited many other places 
of interest and note at Paris besides the great Exhibition. 
All institutions for art had a great attraction for her, and 
she took up the idea most warmly of founding Schools of 

11 2 



i64 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

Design in her own country, as she hoped they would exer- 
cise a good influence there. 

During the Prince and Princess's visit the great review 
of the Imperial troops in the Bois de Boulogne took place ; 
and on that day, too, the happily unsuccessful attempt on 
the Emperor of Kussia's life was made. 

After attending all the festivities at the Imperial Court, 
where the Prince and Princess received every possible 
attention and kindness from the Emperor and Empress, 
they left Paris on the 10th of June, and, having met their 
children at Calais, crossed over to England. During this 
stay in England the Princess visited the German and many 
other Hosj^itals, and she also assisted in doing the honours 
for the Queen at several Court festivities. She was present 
at Windsor and Osborne during the visits of the Sultan, 
w^ho had been so cordially received in England, and in 
whose honour a great naval review at Spithead was held. 

Prince and Princess Louis returned to Darmstadt in 
the first days of August ; and, having established their 
children there, they left for St. Moritz in the Engadine, 
where they intended to spend a month, and where the 
Princess was to take the baths. 

Whilst there they made several excursions, travelling 
about quite simply, like any other tourists. 

On their return to Germany, the Prince and Princess 
spent a few days with the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess 
of Baden on the island of Mainau on the Lake of Constance. 
During the autumn the Princess met several of her own 
brothers and sisters. She also went to Cassel to meet the 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 165 

Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia, who were returning 
from a visit to England. 



Gotha : January 15. 

, . . It is a great happiness to be with dear Yicky 
and Fritz, and the future — that which is to be feared, that 
which must inevitably come — is of course our constant talk. 
Whatever comes, our position, and that of other small sove- 
reigns, must undergo a change, which for the older ones 
will be very hard, and which they will ever feel. Even 
dear Louis, who is so sensible and reasonable, says he has 
been brought up with particular rights, which for centuries 
have been ours, and he feels sore that he is never to inherit 
them. 

Dear aunt seems very well, and is ever like a second 
mother to us, so loving and kind ; also dear uncle. Papa's 
and your children are dear to him almost as though they 
were his own ; and he lives to see us with our families and 
in our homes, whereas darling Papa does not. Yesterday 
the Braut von Messina was given — that beautiful piece which 
Papa was so fond of. I thought so much of you. 

On Thursday Yicky and Fritz go to Berlin. We remain 
here until Sunday afternoon, as on Sunday is the Ordens- 
fest ; and as many will be decorated who fought against us, 
Louis thought it better to arrive after the ceremony. Her- 
mann is here still. He has been to see Feo,^ who has been 
very ill. Fritz William [the Crown Prince] saw Ada and 
Fritz Holstein at Carlsruhe and Fritz and Anna of Hesse 
— all four turned out of their countries. . . . 

* Princess Feodore Victoria Adelaide Paulina Amalia Maria, daughter of 
Queen Victoria's sister, the Princess Hohenlohe-Langenburg, and wife of 
the Hereditary Prince, now the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She died at the 
age of thirty-three, on the 10th of February, 1872. 



i66 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

I am delighted to hear of dear Arthur having passed 
so good an examination. How proud you must be of him ! 
And the good Major,^ who has spared no pains, I know — 
how pleased he must be ! Arthur has a uniform now, I 
suppose. 

Berlin : January 26. 

... We remain here a little longer, probably until 
the following Saturday, as the King, owing to his cold, 
could not see us often, and begged us to remain longer. 

I saw Amalie Lauchert ^ here two days ago, looking so 
well and charming as ever. 

Little Vicky is such a darling, very like her poor little 
brother— so merry, so good, one never hears her cry — and 
it is really a comfort to Yicky to have that dear little thing. 
Poor Yicky is very sad and low at times. 

After intense cold it is quite warm, like spring, which is 
very unwholesome and tiring. 

Darmstadt : February 16. 

... I think I can understand what you must feel. 
I know well what those first three years were — what fearful 
suffering, tearing and uprooting those feelings which had 
been centred in beloved Papa's existence ! It is indeed, as 
you say, ' in mercy,' that after the long storm a lull and calm 
ensues, though the violent pain, which is but the reverse side 
of the violent love, seems only to die out with it, and that is 
likewise bitter. Yet, beloved Mama, could it be otherwise ? 
There would be no justice or mercy, were the first stage of 
sorrow to be the perpetual one ; and God grant, that time 
may still soothe and alleviate that which it cannot change ! 

2 Major Elphinstone, Prince Arthur's Governor from 1859, now Sir 
Howard Elphinstone, K.C.B. 

^ Princess Amalie of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfurst, niece of Queen Victoria's 
late brother-in-law, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, married to an artist, 
Herr Lauchert. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 167 

I can only imagine what the loss must be, if I measure it 
by the possession of that one adored being, who is the 
centre and essence of my existence. 

Darmstadt : February 28. 

. . . Yesterday we had a very interesting lectm-e 
in our house about Art in Venice, by a young Swede 
[Herr von Molin], who has been studying three years in 
Italy. We had the room full of people, artists and pro- 
fessors, who liked to listen. 

... All the natural cleverness and sharpness in the 
world won't serve nowadays, unless one has learnt some- 
thing. I feel this so much; and just in our position it 
is more and more required and expected, particularly in a 
small place, where so much depends on the personal know- 
ledge and exertions of the Princes. 

Darmstadt : March 8. 

. . . The knowledge of dear sweet Alix's state makes 
me too sad. It is hard for them both, and the nursing 
must be very fatiguing for Mrs. Clarke. I am so distressed 
about darling Alix that I really have no peace. It may, 
and probably will, last long, which is so dreadful.^ 

March 28. 

. . . We mean to have some children on the 5th, so 
that Victoria can have a party. 

My father-in-law is better again, I am happy to say. 
The warm weather did him good at once. 

Darmstadt : April 1. 

... I could not write the other day, as I had a 
good deal to do with two committees for charities, which 

^ The Princess of Wales was suffering at the time from rheumatic fever 
and rheumatism. 



i68 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

had to be got into order, and which took up a great deal of 
my time. 

Cold, hail, snow, and rain have returned ; and Irene has 
got a cold, which most peojDle here have. The weather is 
so unpleasant. 

We shall stop here in town until we go to England, as 
we have nowhere to go to before. It is a pity for the chil- 
dren to have no country air, and they miss the flowers in 
their walks. I can't praise Orchard^ enough. Such order 
she keeps, and is so industrious and tidy, besides under- 
standing so much about the management of the children's 
health and characters. 

Darmstadt : AiDril 5. 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter, and for the 
kind wishes for Victoria's birthday ! I pray she may be a 
worthy granddaughter and goddaughter of my darling 
Mama ! I shall never forget that day — your kindness to 
us, and the tender nurse you were. . . . 

Victoria means to dictate a letter to you ; she is so 
much pleased with her presents. Irene has not a tooth 
yet, and is not very fat, poor little thing ! but she is fresh 
and rosy, and, I think, strong. 

This last week the excitement here has been dreadful, 
as all anticipated a war with France on account of Luxem- 
burg. I fear sooner or later it will come. May the Al- 
mighty avert such a calamity ! 

The Moriers were quite in ecstasies about your handsome 
present. The christening^ went off very well. 

April 8. 

. . . We have just returned from church, and to- 
morrow morning we all take the Sacrament at nine o'clock 

^ Their nurse, who is still (1884) with the youngest child, Princess Alix. 
^ Of their child, to whom Queen Victoria stood sponsor. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 169 

in the Schlosskirche. Professor Jowett is here on a visit 
to the Moriers, and is going to read the service on Sunday. 
I have not had an opportunity to attend our English ser- 
vice since we were at Windsor, exceptmg one Sunday at 
BerHn with Vicky and Fritz. 

People think now, the evil of war is put off for a few 
weeks, but that is all. Henry is here for Easter, and says 
the same from all he heard at Berlin. 

April 21. 

. . . How^ I wish you may be right in not believing 
in war. I always fear it is not Luxemburg, but the intense 
jealousy of the French nation, that they should not be the 
first on the Continent, and that Germany is becoming inde- 
pendent and powerful against their will. Then, again, the 
Germans feel their new position, and assert their rights 
with more force because unanimous, and neither nation 
will choose to give in to the other. 

The war would be totally useless, and sow no end of 
dissension and hatred between the two neighbour countries, 
W'ho, for their own good as for that of mankind, ought to 
live in peace and harmony with each other. 

We seem drifting back to the Middle Ages, as each 
question is ^Dushed to the point of the sword. It is most 
sad. How dear Papa would have disapproved of much that 
has happened since 1862 ! 

Is the Catalogue which Mr. Euland sent some time ago 
to Mr. Woodward for dear Papa's Eaphael Collection in 
print now ? ^ So many people know of its coming out, and 
are anxious to see it, as, indeed, I am likewise, for it is the 
only complete collection in the world, and the world of art 
is anxious to know all about it. Will you, perhaps, let me 

^ This Catalogue was not completed and made public till 1876. 



I70 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

know tlirongh Mr. Salil,^ as I believe it is already a good 
while since you approved of its being published, and gave 
the orders for its being printed ? 

May 2. 

As yet none dare to be sure of the peace, but all live 
again since there are more chances for its being main- 
tained. But then, I trust it will be a permanent peace, 
not merely a putting off till next year ! 

The French press was so very warlike, and it always 
talks of the French honour not being able to allow such a 
mighty empire as the German is becoming to gain the 
upper hand ; and then rectification of her fi'ontiers, always 
wishing for the Ehine. 

Poor little Anna of Mecklenburg is here ; it seemed so 
sad to see the dear little child come alone to inhabit the 
rooms its Mama had never returned to. She looks delicate, 
very fair, but with dark, thick eyebrows and eyelashes ; 
rather shy and silent, for she has no little children to play 
with in her home. My two led her about at once, and tried 
to amuse her. Ella, who is five months older, is a head 
taller and twice as broad. I am so afraid they will be too 
rough with her, for dear, fat Ella is very strong, and by no 
means gentle. 

Annchen has an old nervous nurse, who is too frightened 
about her. It is a great responsibility, where there is no 
mother. It looks so sad ! 

May 13. 

I must tell you something in confidence of what has 
taken place here with regard to Louis. . . . Since Louis 
took the command last August, and since the Convention 
with Prussia has been settled, Louis has been opposed by 
Uncle Louis and the Kriegsministerium [War Department], 

^ Her Majesty's private librarian. 



1 867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 171 

in doing all the things which he thought absolutely necessary, 
and which towards Prussia the Grand Duke had promised 
to do, so as to get the troops into the necessary order and 
•organisation. Here the Government is, Louis has reason 
to fear, once more playing a false game towards Prussia, 
,and all his true friends and a small party of the clever- 
thinking people have encouraged him in the idea that, to 
serve his country, he may and must not be implicated in 
the present sad and desperate state of affairs. 

It has cost him a great struggle to make up his mind 
to ask Uncle Louis to accept his resignation, which he has 
been obliged to demand, as he felt that under present cir- 
cumstances he could not fulfil what was desired of him. 

Uncle Louis may refuse to let him go ; then he intends 
to ask for leave until the 1st of October, the date when the 
Convention must be carried out, when he hopes and trusts 
the King will send a Prussian general to put all in order. 

Uncle Louis and his Umgehung [the people about him] 
will all be against my Louis, as they think it a shame and 
injustice to give up any of their rights, and that it is un- 
pardonable of Louis to act up to what he has always said. 
He is so good a nephew, that all this will be dreadfully 
painful to him ; but he is quite convinced that his duty to 
Ms country and his future demands this step of him. 
He is obliged to go away from here, as he does not think 
it right for him to be always in the opposition to Uncle 
Louis, and as he cannot gain by it what the country and 
the troops require. On account of all these reasons he 
considers it right to leave. 

He wished me to write all this to you, as he knows 
you will understand and not disapprove the confidence 
he bestows on one, on whose opinion he quite relies. He 
looks forward so much to coming to England, as he is 



172 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

worried and harassed by all that has happened. In all this 
he has again shown, as of old, that he always places him- 
self and his u'islies and feelings in the background, and that 
to serve others and to do his duty are the sole aims of his 
existence. He will, as soon as he has received an answer 
from the Grand Duke, telegraph to you to settle our plans. 
The children are overjoyed at the prospect of seeing their 
dear Grandmama again. 

I am not up to very much, I don't always feel quite 
strong ; but the change will do me good, I am sure. 

May 16. 

The Grand Duke has not as yet consented to Louis' 
resignation. Louis has made conditions, under which it 
will be possible for him to remain, if Uncle L. consents. 
The first condition is to have a Prussian officer at his side. 
The Grand Duke declared he would sooner lose his country 
than give his consent to that. Louis has now officially 
written his letter of requirements, and sent it. But, what- 
ever happens, he will be able to get a short leave, he thinks, 
by the beginning of June. 

May 19. 

The military affair is at length settled. Uncle Louis 
has given in to the points Louis demanded, and he retains 
his command. All are astonished at Louis' unlooked-for 
success in this affair, and as Uncle L. would not have a 
Prussian General, and had no one here to take in Louis' 
stead, who could do the things well, he had to agree and to 
allow what Louis was justified in asking. Louis' firmness 
and decision have done great good, and all are thankful to 
him for it, though others, who ought to do as he has done, 
have never shown the courage. 

Louis is laid up with the most awful nettle-rash all over 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 173 

face and body, and is so unwell with it. He has had it now 
three days. Altogether since the winter, or rather since 
the war, he has had so much cause for vexation, that he 
has been constantly unwell ; and each time he is much 
worried he has an attack of illness. 

May 29. 

... I presided at my committee of seven ladies and 
four gentlemen a long while yesterday, and to-morrow I 
have my other one, which is more numerous. It is an 
easy task, but I hope we shall have good results from our 
endeavours. 

Paris : June 9. 

I really am half killed from sight-seeing and fetes, 
but all has interested me so much, and the Emperor and 
Empress [of the French] have been most kind. Yesterday 
was the ball at the Hotel de Yille, quite the same as it had 
been for you and dear Papa, and there were more than 
8,000 people there. It was the finest sight I have ever 
seen, and it interested me all the more, as I knew it was 
the same as in the year when you were at Paris. 

Every morning we went to the Exhibition, and every 
evening there was a dinner or ball. It was most fatiguing. 
To-morrow morning we leave, and had really great trouble 
to get away, for the Emperor and Empress and others begged 
us so much to remain for the ball at the Tuileries to-morrow 
night ; but we really could not, on account of Wednesday's 
concert,^ as we should barely arrive in time. 

The attentat on the Emperor of Eussia was dreadful, 
and we were close by at the time. The Empress can't get 
over it, and she does not leave Uncle Sadie's ^ side for an 
instant now, and takes him everywhere in her carriage. 

To-day we are going with the whole Court to Versailles. 

^ At Buckingham Palace. ' The Emperor of Kussia. 



174 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

Dear Vicky is gone. She was so low the last clays, and dis- 
likes going to parties so much just now, that she was long- 
ing to get home. The King [of Prussia] wished them both 
to stop, but only Fritz remained. How sad these days will 
be for her, poor love ! She was in such good looks ; every- 
one here is charmed with her. 

[During the months of June and July 1867, the Prin- 
cess with her family was on a visit in England.] 

Darmstadt : August 4. 

We arrived here at midnight on Friday and I was- 
so knocked up . . . that I was incapable of doing anything 
yesterday. 

. . . My poor Willem ^ was buried yesterday. Everyone 
regrets the poor child, for he was very dear. I miss him so 
much here, for he did everything for me, and liked being 
about me and the children. All our servants went to the 
burial. It quite upset me here not to find him, for I was really 
attached to him, and he learnt so well, and was in many 
ways so nice, though of course troublesome too at times. 
How short life is, and the instant one is gone, he is so 
wiped away for others, and one knows so absolutely nothing 
about the person any more ! Were it not for a strong faith 
in a future, it would indeed be cruel to bear. No one of 
the family is here. We leave to-morrow for Zurich, where 
we shall be at ten at night ; the next day to Chur and the 
next day to St. Moritz. 

St. Moritz : August 1. 

With perfect weather we accomplished our journey 
perfectly, and were enchanted with the beautiful scenery 
from Ziirich here, not to speak of this place. 

"^ The Princess's servant (see ante, p. 49). The boy was brought from 
Java by Baron Schenk-Schmittburg. His father was a negro, his mother a 
Javanese. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 175 

The first day — 5th — we left Darmstadt at 11 a.m., and 
did not reach Zurich till eleven at night. We got two 
little rooms in the Hotel Baur, but the whole place was 
full. The next morning after breakfast we went to look 
at the lovely lake, which is green and quite transparent. 
It was a beautiful warm morning. We left by rail at 
ten, partly along the lake of Ziirich and then along the 
Wallenstadter See, which is long and narrow, with high 
perpendicular mountains down to the water — very wild 
and picturesque. This lake likewise is of that marvellous 
green colour. We reached Chur at three that after- 
noon — a pretty small town, situated close up against a 
mountain. We visited a beautiful old church there, which 
contains fine old pictures and relics ; it was built in the 
time of the Eomans, and is still the chief church of the 
bishopric. 

The next morning we two, with Sarah, Logoz and our 
footman, left at six o'clock in a diligence (we both sitting 
in the coupe in front) with four horses, for here the road 
is the grandest one can imagine, perpetually ascending for 
two hours, and then descending again, always along preci- 
pices, and the horses at a quick trot turning sharp round the 
corners — which, I assure you, is a trial to the best nerves. 
We drove over the Julier Pass, which was a road already 
used by the Eomans, and which is almost the highest in 
Switzerland. One passes close to the top of the mountains, 
which have snow on them, and are wild and rugged like the 
top of Lochnagar. Lower down, the mountains are covered 
with bright green grass and fir trees, but rocks look out 
everywhere, and there are constantly lovely water- 
falls. 

After crossing the Pass, we drove down — ver}' steep, of 
course nothing on the edge of the road, always zigzag, and 
at a sharp trot — for some distance down to Silva Plana, 



176 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

where the view over the valley and lakes of the Engadine, 
where St. Moritz lies, is beyond description beautiful. 

We reached this in the evening at six o'clock, the 
weather being most beautiful. The Curhaus is below the 
town, and looks like a large asylum. It is overfilled with 
people. We have two rooms, but our people as yet none, 
though they hope for some to-morrow. 

I saw Dr. Berry, a little Swiss man, and he recom- 
mended me to take the baths twice a week, besides drinking 
the waters ; which I have begun this morning at seven 
o'clock, the usual hour, as one has to walk up and down a 
quarter of an hour between the glasses. The bath I took 
at ten. It is tepid and also iron water, which bubbles like 
soda water, and makes one feel as if insects were crawling 
over one. 

Lina Aumale is here, the Parises and Nemours. Fritz 
and Louise [of Baden] leave to-morrow. This afternoon we 
drove with them, in two funny little ' Wageli ' with one horse, 
to Samaden, where Louise went into the hotel to see Mme. 
d'Usedom, who was lately upset with her carriage off the 
road, as there is no barrier, and hurt herself severely. We 
saw her brother likewise. 

I have sent you a nosegay of Edelweiss and other Alp 
llowers. I hope it won't arrive quite dead. You must 
fancy them alive, and, if they could speak, they would tell 
you how much I love you, and how constantly I think of 
you, and of my dear, dear home ! 

St. Moritz : August 11. 

. . . All the Orleans' left this place suddenly 
yesterday, as there are three cases of scarlatina in the 
house. We consulted the doctor immediately, whether he 
thought it safe for Louis to remain, he never having had it, 
and he said ' Perfectly, as we are at the other end of the 
house, and out nearly all day.' 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 177 

Victor and Lolo [Count and Countess Gleichen] are 
here, and we went out drawing together yesterday ; but it 
is too difficult here. I think constantly how much you 
would admire this place : it is indeed exquisitely beautiful 
— much the finest scenery I have ever seen. It is very wild, 
and reminds me in parts of dear Scotland. 

You say that our home in England is dull now for those 
who like to amuse themselves. It is never dull, darling 
Mama, when one can be with you, for I have indeed never 
met a more agreeable charming companion. Time always 
flies by, when one is with you. I hope it is not impertinent 
my saying so. 

St. Moritz : August 13. 

.... I knew you would feel for me at the loss of 
my poor Willem. Of course one must feel that sort of loss 
more than that of many a relation, if one knew the latter 
but little. I said to Louis at the time, that Willem's death 
distressed me more than would that of several relations who 
were not intimate with me. . . . 

Yesterday we and the Gleichens went to the Eosegg 
Glacier, and to get there had to go from Pontresina in little 
Bergicagen, which are strong miniature Leiterivagen with- 
out springs, and we went over a horrid path with quantities 
of stones, so the shaking was beyond description. 

Victor and Lolo go mostly with us, and we always dine 
together. 

I take three glasses beginning at seven in the morning, and 
a bath at eight. One lies in a wooden thing, covered over up 
to one's chin with boards, and remains so twenty minutes. 

We lunch at twelve, and dine at half past six, and go 
to bed early. We are out nearly all day long. It is 
very warm, the sun scorching ; my face is quite red-brown, 
in spite of veils and parasols. I feel already very much 

N 



178 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

better, and Louis says my face is quite fat. I wish we 
could remain longer than the end of the month, but Louis 
must be home. 

I hope you notice the pains I take with my writing, for 
you complained of it at Osborne — I fear, justly — and I am 
trying to improve it again. 

St. Moritz : August 16. 

Yesterday we made a beautiful expedition, which it 
may amuse you to hear of, as in an exaggerated way it 
reminded me of our nice Scotch ones. The evening before, 
we left with Victor and Lolo (without servants) about eight 
o'clock for Pontresina. The country looked more beautiful 
than ever in the brightest moonlight. We found two very 
small but clean rooms in an hotel outside the village. 

The next morning we got up at half past four, dressed, 
and breakfasted, then got on four horses with most uncom- 
fortable saddles, with our guide, Adam Engler, an amusing 
man, most active and helpful. We saw the sun rising over 
the snow-covered mountains, and the valleys gradually 
coming out clearer. 

We were to ascend the Piz Languard, a mountain 
1,200 feet high. We rode for two hours by a worse and 
much steeper road than up the Glassalt, then walked over 
rocks, sand, and slippery grass, so steep that one could not 
look up to see where one was going to, quite precipitous on 
each side, leaving snow and glacier below us. The last bit 
has a sort of immensely high steps hewn in the rock. After 
an hour and a half's hard labour we reached the summit, 
which is rocky and small — enormous precipices all round. 
Poor Lolo was giddy for some time, which was very un- 
pleasant. The view from the top is most extensive. The 
Italian, Swiss, and Tyrolese Alps are all to be seen, but 
the view was not very clear. We rested and ate some- 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 179 

tiling, and drank some Lochnagar whisky. The sun was 
getting intense. We commenced om' descent at eleven 
o'clock, and had to walk the whole way back, for one can't 
ride down. We did not reach Pontresina till nearly fom-, 
as we had to rest several times, our limbs ached so, for 
there is no level ground the whole way, and the stones slip, 
and it was very hot. I had quite sore feet with blisters 
all over, so that the last hours were really agonising. But 
it is a thing to have done, and the view amply repaid one, 
though one does not feel tempted to do it a second time. 
I feel very well, excepting my face (which is still burning 
and quite red), and my unfortunate feet. 

Poor Christa wrote to me yesterday, and says : — 

' I must also tell your Eoyal Highness that I have re- 
ceived a letter in her own hand from Her Majesty the Queen. 
I cannot express how deeply this has moved me and filled 
me with gratitude. God bless the Queen for her rare 
human love ; for surely there is no one, who in such a 
position as hers has preserved a heart like hers, so full of 
kindness and sympathy for others.' ^ 

Dear sweet Mama, your kind and sisterly words have 
been balsam to many a wounded heart, and many are the 
blessings that have been craved for you from above by 
hearts filled with thankfulness for your true sympathy. 

St. Moritz : August 21. 
. . . Now I will tell you of our expedition. Louis 
and I, Victor and Lolo, and a guide, with each a small bag, 
left this early on the morning of the 17th (dear Grand- 
mama's birthday) in a carriage for Pontresina ; from 
thence, in two of those shaky Bergwagen, over part of the 

' We give this extract in a translation, instead of the original German. 

N 2 



i8o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

Bernina Pass, past the magnificent Morteratsch Glacier, 
which we saw perfectly. The guide told us he had been 
there with Professor Tyndall, and that the latter had ob- 
served, that the glacier advanced a foot a day in the warm 
weather, and old people recollect it having been a mile 
higher up. We soon left the high-road, and all vegetation, 
save grass, for a bad path into the Val da Fain. The heat 
was again intense. We lunched and rested, and then took 
the horses out of the carts for us ladies to ride. The 
scenery was wild and severe, until we began again to de- 
scend, and came down upon the lovely Livigno Valley, 
which is Italian, and covered with brown chalets. We 
reached the village of Livigno, with only wooden huts, by 
six o'clock, and turned into a funny little dark inn, in 
which we four found one small but clean room for us — 
most primitive. As the inhabitants speak a sort of Italian, 
we had the greatest difficulty to make ourselves under- 
stood. Victor cooked part of the dinner, and it was quite 
good. 

We all slept — I resting on a bed, the other three on the 
floor — in this little room, with the small window wide open. 

The next morning we left at nine, and drove on no road 
in such a small carriage — of course, no springs —our hus- 
bands at first getting a lift on the horses, without saddles ; 
then on foot up a steep and dangerous ascent. Splendid 
weather, but too hot. We went over the Pass of the Stretta : 
a more difficult and rough ground I never crossed in my 
life, but splendid scenery. We came on a view which was 
glorious — such enormous snow-covered mountains and gla- 
ciers, with the green valleys deep below looking on Italy 
and the Tyrol. 

We reached Bormio by seven, and took up our residence 
at a bathing-place, quite magnificently situated, very high 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. i8i 

up — also Italian. The next morning we started early in 
carriages, and went over the Stelvio Pass. There, nearly 
at the risk of my neck, I picked for the first time some 
Edelweiss, which I am very proud of, as it is always diffi- 
cult and rare to get. 

We got down to St. Maria, which is at the upper end 
of the Miinsterthal and belongs to Switzerland. In the 
afternoon, dreadfully hot, I was very thirsty and drank 
off a glass of milk ; but how it tasted ! It was goat's milk ; 
the people keep the cow's milk for butter and cheese. We 
remained the night there, and left the next morning for 
here, by Zernetz and Of en. To get from one valley into 
another, one has always to ascend and descend enormous 
heights, and always by narrow paths at the edge of precipices. 
We enjoyed our tour immensely, and got on perfectly with- 
out servants. Packing up my things, though, every morn- 
ing was a great trouble, and the bag would usually not shut 
at first. The trees growing here are splendid larches and ar- 
ven ^ ; the latter grow only in these very high regions and in 
Siberia. Victor and his wife are most amiable and pleasant 
travelling-companions, and pleased with everything; not 
minding to rough it, which we had to do. 

Schloss Mainau : August 30. 

. . . W^e left St. Moritz at seven, and reached Chur 
at seven in the evening. The next day we came on here 
to Louise of Baden. Fritz is at Carlsruhe. This place is 
very lovely, though, alas ! the fine mountains are gone, 
which one always misses so much. 

I thought of you more than I can say on the dear 26th, 
and I felt low and sad all day. Dear Papa ! Time has not 

* A kind of dwarf tree— half pine, half juniper— which grows in the 
highest regions of the Alps, and supplies most of the soft wood used by the 
Swiss wood-carvers. 



1 82 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

yet accustomed us to see eacli anniversary come round 
again, and he still remain away. It is so inexpressibly 
hard for you, and you must feel such intense longing for 
the dear past. There remains a future ! that is the only 
consolation. 

To-day we went with Louise by carriage, and then across 
part of the lake to the property of the Emperor Napoleon, 
Arenenberg, which the Empress gave him eight years ago, 
and which was his home with his mother, and where she 
died. Every picture and bit of furniture is replaced as it 
was when the Emperor lived there, and he was there him- 
self and replaced everything. It is quite a page in history 
to see all the things that surrounded the Emperor in the 
days of his misfortune. 

Darmstadt : September 8. 

... I spent three days and two nights with dear 
Alix at Wiesbaden, and I find her leg decidedly better. 
... It is a little less hot to-day, but much hotter even 
now than we ever have it in England. Stallmeister Meyer ^ 
came to see us yesterday, and we took him out riding, 
which made him quite happy. Any one who reminds me 
of the good old times before the 14th of December does me 
good ; it is a pleasure to speak about those past so happy 
days ! When they came to a close, I lost the greater part 
of my joyousness, which, though I am so happy, has never 
returned. A certain melancholy and sadness sometimes 
overcome me, which I can't shake off ; then I have Heim- 
well after adored Papa to such an extent that tears are my 
only relief, 

Darmstadt : September 20. 

. . . The King of Prussia's visit went off very well 
here, and both high personages seemed pleased to have got 

'^ Eiding-master to the Prince Consort and the Queen from 1840 to 1871. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 183 

over the meeting. The King came most kindly to see us, 
and went over all our rooms, which seemed to amuse him. 
. . . Yesterday evening Sache and Minnie ^ arrived, and we 
intend going over to see them all to-morrow. 

Louis will retain the command, but, according to the 
King's advice, has demanded a Prussian General Stabschef 
[Chief of the Staff], which will be a great assistance to him. 

At the sale of the Homburg things I bought a lovely 

miniature of dear Grandmama in a black velvet gown, with 

a red shawl over her shoulder — shortly after her marriage, 

I think. 

Darmstadt : October 3. 

Yesterday evening I returned from Wiesbaden, 
leaving Alix well, but having caught a bad cold myself. 
The children have equally heavy ones. 

Darmstadt : October 8. 

Many thanks for your letter just received, and for the 
review of dear Papa's Life, which is excellent, and which I 
sent on to Aunt Feodore, as you desired. I have been laid 
up for a week with influenza, and am only about again 
since yesterday, though not out of the house. I am quite 
weak from it. The whole house is laid up with bad 
colds, and Baby can't shake hers off at all. The cough is 
so tiring, and she whoops whenever she coughs. Poor 
Jager, who is, alas ! we fear, consumptive, broke a blood- 
vessel two days ago, and is dangerously ill, to the great 
grief of all in the house. He is our best servant, and so 
devoted ; he never would take care of himself, as he could 
not bear letting any one but himself attend on Louis. 
We have just got a Diakonissin [Deaconness] to nurse him ; 
on account of his great weakness he can't be left alone one 
instant. 

^ The Cesarewitch and Cesarewna. 



i84 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

Sir William, Lady and Charlotte Knollys have been on 
a visit to us ; also Lady Geraldine Somerset for two nights. 
They are all interested to see our house. 

Uncle George has made me a present of one of the 
horses the Sultan sent him. 

Darmstadt : October 10. 

I can't find words to say how sorry I am that dear 
sweet Arthur should have the small-pox ! and that you 
should have this great anxiety and worry. God grant, that 
the dear boy may get well over it, and that his dear hand- 
some face be not marked ! Where in the world could he 
have caught it ? The Major kindly telegraphs daily, and 
you can fancy, far away, how anxious one is. I shall be 
very anxious to get a letter with accounts, for I think 
constantly of him, and of you. My parents-in-law wish 
me to tell you how they share your anxiety, and how they 
wish soon to hear of dear Arthur's convalescence ; of course 
my Louis likewise, for he shares all my feelings, being a 
real brother towards my Geschivister [brothers and sisters]. 

We both paid the King of Prussia our respects at 
Frankfort this morning, principally to tell him that Bertie 
had been so grieved at the ill success of his intended visit, 
as the Queen begged us to do. 

I am better to-day, but Ella and Irene can't shake off 
their colds, and poor Ella is altogether unwell. Victoria 
is all right. 

We are going on the 18th to Baden for Fritz's birthday. 

Darmstadt : October 14. 

How glad I am to see by your letter that darling 
Arthur is going on so very well. One can't be too thank- 
ful ; and it is a good thing over, and will spare one's being 
anxious about him on other occasions. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 185 

Bertie and Alix have been here since Saturday afternoon, 
and leave to-morrow. They go straight to Antwerp, and 
Bertie is going back to Brussels to see the cousins. 

The visit of the King went off very well, and Alix was 
pleased with the kindness and civility of the King. I hear 
that the meeting was satisfactory to both parties, which I 
am heartily glad of. Bearing ill will is always a mistake, 
besides its not being right. 

Dear Alix walked up our staircase with two sticks, of 
course very slowly, but she is improving wonderfully, though 
her knee is quite stiff. 

Poor Jager is a little better, and the momentary danger 
is past, though I fear he cannot ultimately recover. How 
hard for poor Katrinchen ! There is much sorrow in the 
world, and how often such a share falls to the best and 
gentlest ! I of course go to see him daily, but it always 
goes to my very heart to see that attached and faithful 
•creature dying slowly away. How is Brown's sister ? 

We hope that Countess Bliicher will return here with 
Vicky and me from Baden for a few days, as it is an age 
since Vicky has seen her. 

Dear Alix is writing in my room at this moment, and is 
so dear and sweet. She is a most loveable creature. 



Darmstadt : October 23. 

I have had the pleasure of having Augusta and the 
Dean [Stanley] here since yesterday, but they leave again 
this morning. 

The King of Prussia is here to-day, and there is a large 
dinner for him in the Schloss, and he is kind enough to 
come and see me afterwards. 

The accounts of poor dear Aunt Feodore are so sad, and 
I hear she does not look well, and is so low about her eyes 



iS6 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

and being unable to see you again after so long a separa- 
tion. She seems alone and lonely, with old age and sickness 
coming over her. If I had been well, I should have gone to 
see her. I am much better these last days. I can breathe 
much better, but the dreadfully swelled ankles and wrists, 
remain as bad as before, and cause great discomfort and 
even pain. I never had this before. 



Scliweinsberg : October 24. 

Dear Yicky and Fritz left us yesterday morning. 
It is such a pleasure to me to think that they, like Bertie 
and Alix, know my house, and that they have lodged under 
our roof. When will you, darling Mama ? If ever again 
you go abroad and wish to rest on your way, all in the 
world we have is at your disposal. How happy that would 
make us ! 

We ourselves left at four yesterday afternoon, remaining 
the night at Marburg, and leaving at a quarter to five in 
the morning, so that Louis could reach Alsfeld in time to 
join the shooting-party. We parted at Kirchhain, and I 
came here with Christa to her mother's house — so sad and 
changed since three years ago. It is most kind of them to 
have taken me up here, and the bracing air will do me 
good. They know that I can understand what a house of 
mourning is, and that I don't want to amuse myself. 

Ella cried on parting with us yesterday, and wanted to 
get into the train with us. 

Victoria is going to have a little lesson every other day, 
when I go back, from Mr. Geyer, who taught poor Willem, 
and who teaches little girls particularly well. She must 
begin in my room, as it is better not to have lessons in the 
nursery, I think. Vicky and I spoke much together about 
education and taking a governess. I thought to wait a. 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 187 

3^ear (for financial reasons), and I think it time enough 
then — do not you ? 

Darmstadt : October 26. 

. . . We arrived late at Baden, and Vicky and 
Fritz, who had had two long days' journey, were very 
tired ; but we had to go to dress at once, to go to a soiree 
at Madame Viardot's, which lasted till midnight, and at 
which the King and Queen were present. Her daughters 
and scholars sang a little operetta she had composed, which 
was very pretty. 

I hope the inauguration of the statue went off as well 
as the weather would permit. 

November 15. 

... It is SO good and wholesome not always to be 
one's own master, and to have to suit oneself to the wish of 
others, and, above all, to that of one's mother and sove- 
reign. feels it as such, and often told me so, regret- 
ting how seldom such was the case. 

The Moriers are often with us, and we value them much ; 
they are such pleasant companions, and such excellent, 
clever people. 

Darmstadt : December 6, 1867. 

. . . The visit to Claremont must have been quite 
peculiar for you ; and I can fancy it bringing back to your 
mind the recollections of your childhood. In spring it 
must be a lovely place, and, with gayer papers on the walls, 
and a little modern comfort, the house must likewise be 
very pleasant. Ella, who was breakfasting with me just 
now, saw me dip my Bretzel in my coffee, and said : * Oh, 
Mama, you must not ! Do you allow yourself to do 
that ? ' because I don't allow her to do it. She is too 
funny, and by no means quite easy to manage — a great 



i88 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

contrast to Victoria, who is a very tractable child. Ella 
has a wonderful talent for sewing, and, when she keeps 
quiet a little while, sews quite alone and without mistakes. 
She is making something for you for Christmas, which she 
is quite excited about. Victoria's little afternoon lesson 
answers admirably, and is the happiest time of the day for 
her. She can read words already. 

We have snow and ice, and no sunshine since some 
time, and it is not inviting to take the dull walks in the 
town. But I, make a rule to go out twice a day, and keep 
nearly the same hours as at home. 

The account of your visit to Lady Palmerston and to 
her daughter is most touching. It is so inexpressibly sad 
for grandmother and mother, for it is unnatural for parents 
to survive their children, and that makes the grief a so 
peculiar one, and very hard to bear. 

December 9. 

. . . During the long winter days, when Louis is 
away sometimes four times in the week from six in the 
morning till six in the evening, and then when he returns 
from his shooting has his work to do, I feel lonely. I am 
often for several hours consecutively quite by myself ; and 
for my meals and walks only a lady, as she is the only 
person in the house besides ourselves. It is during these 
hours, when one cannot always be reading or at work, that 
I should wish to have some one to go to, or to come to me 
to sit and speak with ; but such is not the case, and it is 
this I regret — accustomed as I was to a house full of people, 
with brothers and sisters, and, above all, the chance of 
being near you. I always feel how willingly I would spend 
■some of those hours with or near you — and the sea ever 
lies between us ! When Louis is at home and free — for 
in the morning I don't see him — then I have all that this 



i867 AT HOME AND AT WORK. ig^^ 

world can give me, for I am indeed never happier than at 
his dear side ; and time only increases om* affection, and 
binds us closer to each other. 

We have deep snow now and sledging the last two days. 

December 12. 

Before going to rest, I take up my pen to write a 
few loving words, that they may reach you on the morning 
of the 14th. The sound of that date brings with it that 
sad and dreary recollection which, for you, my poor dear 
Mama, and for us, time cannot alter. As long as our lives 
last, this time of year must fill us with sad and earnest 
feelings, and revive the pain of that bitter parting. 

I ought not to dwell on those hours now, for it is wrong- 
to open those wounds afresh, which God in His mercy finds 
little ways and means to heal and soothe the pain of. 

Dear darling Papa is, and ever will be, immortal. The 
good he has done ; the great ideas he has promulgated in 
the world ; the noble and unselfish example he has given, 
will live on, as I am sure he must ever do, as one of the best, 
purest, most Godlike men that have come down into this 
world. His example will, and does, stimulate others to 
higher and purer aims ; and I am convinced that darling- 
Papa did not live in vain. His great mission was done ; 
and what has remained undone he has placed in your dear 
hands, who will know best how to achieve his great works 
of love and justice. I shall think much, very much, of you 
on the 14th, and you will be more in my prayers than ever. 
Think also a little of your most devoted child ! 

Darmstadt : Christmas Day. 

We missed poor Willem so much in arranging all 
the things ; and poor Jager's illness was also sad. We gave 



I90 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1867 

him a tree in his room. He looks hke a shadow, and his 
voice is quite hoarse. 

To two hospitals, the military and the town one, I 
took presents yesterday, and saw many a scene of suf- 
fering and grief. My children are going to give a certain 
number of poor children a Bescheerung on New Year's 
Day. It is so good to teach them early to he generous and 
kind to the poor. They even wish to give some of their 
own things, and such as are 7iot broken. 

Your many generous presents will find their use at once, 
and the Christmas pie, &c., be shared by all the family. 
The remembrances of those bright happy Christmases at 
Windsor are constantly before me. None will ever be again 
what those were, without you, dear Paj)a, arid dear kind 
Grandmama. 

Darmstadt : December 27. 

... I am sure you will have felt under many a 
circumstance in life, that if any momentary feeling was 
upon you, and you were writing to some one near and dear, 
it did you good to put down those feelings on paper, and 
that, even in the act of doing so, when the words were 
barely written, the feeling had begun to die away, and the 
intercourse had done you good. 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 191 



1868 

Although the winter season brought many social duties 
with it, the Princess's active personal attention to all those 
good works and institutions which she had called into 
existence never flagged. No subject of interest or import- 
ance escaped her, and her time was always fully occupied. 
In April she met the Crown Prince at Gotha, where Prince 
Louis also came, on his return from Munich, to fetch her. 
She spent the months of June and July in England with 
her three little girls, either at Osborne, Windsor, or in 
London. The return journey to Darmstadt was made by 
water as far as Mayence. The autumn was spent at 
Kranichstein, in the neighbourhood of which the man- 
oeuvres of the Hessian division took place, at some of which 
the Princess was present. 

On the 25th of November, to the great joy of the parents 
and the country, a son and heir was born — ' a splendid boy.' 
At his christening, on the 28th of December, he received, at 
the special desire of the Grand Duke, the names Ernst 
Ludwig — which had been borne by so many of the old 
Landgraves of Hesse. The sponsors were the Queen of 
England and the King of Prussia. 



192 AT HOME AND AT WORK. i86S 

Darmstadt : January 24. 

. . . To-night I am going to act with two other 
persons in our dining-room a pretty little piece called 
Am Klavier, but I fear I shall be very nervous, and con- 
sequently act badly, which would be too tiresome. 

I have never tried to act in anything since Roth- 
kdppchen, 

February 1. 

What a fright the news of dear Leopold's dangerous 
attack has given us ! Mr. Sahl's letter to Becker arrived 
yesterday afternoon containing the bad news, and he spoke 
of so little hope, that I was so upset and so dreadfully dis- 
tressed for the dear darling, for you, poor Mama, and for 
us all, that I am quite unwell still to-day. 

When your telegram came to-day, and Louise's letter, I 
was so relieved and only pray and hope that the improve- 
ment may continue. May God spare that young bright 
and gifted life, to be a comfort and support to you for 
many a year to come ! 

Had I only had a telegram ! for, the letter being two days 
old, until your telegram came I passed six such agonising 
hours ! Away from home, every news of illness or sorrow 
there is so difficult to bear — when one can share all the 
anxiety and trouble only in thought. 

The day passes so slowly without news, and I am always 
looking towards the door to see if a telegram is coming. 
Please let me hear regularly till he is quite safe ; I do love the 
dear boy, as I do all my brothers and sisters, so tenderly ! 

How I wish you had been spared this new anxiety I 
Those two days must have been dreadful ! 

Darling Mama, how I wish I were with you ! God grant 
that in future you may send us only good news. 

Louis and my parents-in-law send their respectful love 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 193 

and the expression of their warmest sympathy, in which 
the other members of the family join. 

February 2, 

How glad and truly thankful I am, that the Al- 
mighty has saved our darling Leopold and spared him to 
you and to us all ! For the second or even third time that 
life has been given again, when all feared that it must leave 
us ! A mother's heart must feel this so much more than 
any other one's, and dear Leopold, through having caused 
you all his life so much anxiety, must be inexpressibly dear 
to you, and such an object to watch over and take care of. 
Lideed from the depth of my heart I thank God with you 
for having so mercifully spared dear Leo, and watched over 
him when death seemed so near ! 

You will feel deeply now the great joy of seeing a con- 
valescence after the great danger, and I know, through a 
thousand little things, how your loving and considerate heart 
will find pleasure and consolation in cheering your patient. 

That for the future you must ever be so anxious is a 
dreadful trial, but it is to be hoped that Leo will yet out- 
grow this strange illness. I am sure good Archie ^ takes 
great care of him, and by this time he will have gathered 
plenty of experience to be a good nurse. 

Babj' is better, but her poor head and face are perfectly 
covered with spots, and she was in despair with the smart- 
ing and itching, and of course rubbed herself quite sore. Ella 
has it slightly since this morning. 

Darmstadt : February 13. 

. . . First let me wish you joy for the birth of 
this new grandson,^ born on your dear wedding-day. I 

» Archibald Brown, his valet, younger brother of the Queen's personal 
attendant. 

■^ Prince Waldemar of Prussia, fourth son of the Crown Prince and 
Princess. He died of diphtheria on the 27th of March, 1879. 

O 



194 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1868 

thought of you on the morning of the 10th, and meant to 
telegraph, but those dreadful neuralgic pains came on before 
I had time to look about me, and realty laid me prostrate 
for the whole day, as they lasted so very long. I have never 
felt so unwell, or suffered so much in my life, and this mo- 
ment, sitting up in Louis' room, I feel more weak than I ever 
felt on first getting up after my confinements. Quinine 
lias kept me free from pain to-day, and 1 hope will do so to- 
morrow. 1 have been in bed a week and touched absolutely 
nothing all the time. Yesterday evening, as throughout 
the day, I had had (but much more slightly) a return of 
these agonising attacks, which seized my left eye, ear, and 
the whole left side of my head and nose. 1 got up and sat 
in Louis' room ; I could only bear it for two hours, and all 
but fainted before I reached my bed. If 1 can get strength, 
and have no return of pain, I hope to go out after to- 
morrow. 1 could not see the children or anyone during this 
week, and always had my eyes closed, first from pain, and 
then from exhaustion when the pain left me. 1 really 
thought 1 should go out of my mind, and you know 1 can 
stand a tolerable amount of pain. 

February 17. 

... 1 am so distressed that you remained so long 
without news. I was really for a whole week quite incap- 
able of any idea about anything, and had mostly my eyes 
shut, and was constantly alone, as I could not bear anyone 
in the room. 

General Plonsky, the Corps Commandant from Cassel, 
came here unexpectedly, and Louis, being under his com- 
mand, was so taken up during those da^^s, besides an 
immense deal of military business, that 1 never saw him 
more than a few minutes in the morning ; and during his 
free time in the afternoon he sat, like the best nurse in 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 195 

the world, near my bed in the dark room, putting wet 
rags on my head and trying by every possible means to 
alleviate my pains. He was touching in the great care he 
took of me. Louis and Harriet did all for me, and I could 
bear no one else about me. You see, poor Louis had no 
time to write, and he always thought that I should be well 
the next day and write myself. 

Darmstadt : February 24. 

To my and, I fear, dear Vicky's great disappoint- 
ment. Dr. Weber won't let me go to Berlin, and wants me to 
go to Wiesbaden for a cold-water cure instead. The latter 
will be intensely dull, as I shall be there for four weeks all 
alone ; but I believe it will be very beneficial, as with every 
year I seem to get more rheumatic, which at my age is of 
course not good. 

We shall hope to be able to come to Windsor, middle of 
June, as you desire. The exact time you will kindly let us 
know later. 

Darmstadt : March 9. 

. . . Louis left yesterday morning for Munich. It 
is a twelve hours' journey. There is a procession on foot 
at the funeral, going to the church through the town, which 
will last about two hours, and then a very long ceremony in 
the large, cold Basilica.^ 

Darmstadt : March 14. 

I send you a few lines to-day for the 16th, the anni- 
versary of the first great sorrow which broke in upon your 
happy life. How well do I recollect how I accompanied 
you and dear Papa down to Frogmore that night, our 
dinner in the flower room, the dreadful watching in the cor- 
ridor, and then the so painful end ! Darling Papa looked 

3 At the funeral of King Louis I., who had died at Nice on the 29th of 
February. 

o 2 



196 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1868 

SO pale, so deeply distressed, and was so full of tender sym- 
pathy for you. He told me to go to you and comfort you, 
and was so full of love and commiseration as I have never 
seen any man before or after. Dear, sweet Papa ! that in 
that same year we should live together through such 
another heartrending scene again, and he not there to com- 
fort or support you, poor Mama ! 

It sometimes, even at this distance of time, seems 
nearly impossible that we should have lived through such 
times, and yet be alive and resigned. 

God's mercy is indeed great ; for He sends a balm to 
soothe and heal the bruised and faithful heart, and to 
teach one to accommodate oneself to one's sorrow, so as to 
know how to bear it ! 

Darmstadt : April 2. 

. . . Louis is in a most unpleasant crisis with the 
Ministry and the Grand Duke. I don't know how it will 
end. 

Darmstadt : April 5. 

Only two words to-day, as my heart is so full of love 
and gratitude to you who took such care of me this day five 
years ago, who heard Victoria's first cry, and were such a 
comfort and help to us both. All these recollections make 
Victoria doubly dear to us, and, as in this world one never 
knows what will happen, I hope that you will always watch 
over our dear child, and let her be as dear to you as though 
she had been one of us. 

We have spent the day very sadly and quietly together. 
Louis' affairs have taken such a turn that he has been 
obliged to tender the Grand Duke his resignation, as he does 
not consider it compatible with his honour to remain under 
existing circumstances. He has made a great sacrifice to 
his duty and honour, but doing one's duty brings the 
reward with it of a clear conscience. 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 197 

April 3. 

. . . The King of Prussia has sent General von 
Bonin here to speak seriously with the Grand Duke, and 
prove to him through papers, &c., that he has not kept his 
word, and that he has been very badly advised, and that 
Louis was quite in the right. The result has been that the 
poor Grand Duke is scandalised at the state of affairs, and 
that he really seems to have been more in the dark than 
was supposed. He gives Louis the command again, sends 
away the whole Kriegsministerium [War Department], to 
be reorganised more simply, and with other people, accord- 
ing to Louis' proposals ; and so all military affairs will be 
in order, and Louis have much greater power to carry out 
all that has to be done. 

We are so pleased at all having turned out thus far 
well, and know that you will share our feelings. Louis 
gets more work and a great responsibility ; but he has 
proved himself so capable in every respect, so active and 
hard-working, that I think and trust he will overcome all 
difficulties. 

I go alone to Gotha, and Louis will follow as soon as he 
can, so as to spend my birthday there. 

I am so distressed at dear, good Sir James [Clark's] 
illness. I hope and trust that this precious old friend will 
still be spared for a few years at least. 

Gotha : April 25, 

... It is now eleven years since I spent my birth- 
day with dear Vicky, and she has been so dear and kind, 
and dear Aunt and Uncle likewise. W^e spend the day quite 
quietly together, and the bad weather prevents any expe- 
ditions. 

After to mori'ow we go home. 



198 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1868 

Darmstadt : May 4. 

Accept my best thanks for your last letter written 
on dear Arthur's birthday. The playing of the band I am 
sure gave him pleasure ; but it would be too painful for all 
ever to have it again on the terrace as formerly. There 
are certain tunes, which that Marine Band used to play, 
which, when I have chanced to hear them elsewhere, have 
quite upset me, so powerful does the recollection of those 
so very happy birthdays at Osborne remain upon me ! 
Those happy, happy days touch me even to tears when I 
think of them. What a joyous childhood we had, and how 
greatly it was enhanced by dear, sweet Papa, and by all 
your great kindness to us ! 

I try to copy as much as lies in my power all these 
things for our children, that they may have an idea, w^hen 
I speak to them of it, of what a happy home ours TX^as. 

I do feel so much for dear Beatrice and the other 
younger ones, who had so much less of it than we had ! 

Darmstadt : May 11. 
For your sake I am sorry that my condition should 
cause you anxiety, for you have enough of that, God knows. 
But I am so w^ell this time that I hope and trust all may 
go well, though one is never sure. It is this conviction 
which I always have, and which makes me serious and 
thoughtful, as who can know whether with the termination 
of this time my life may not also terminate ? 

This is also one of the reasons why I long so very much 
to see you, my own precious Mama, this summer, for I 
cling to you with a love and gratitude, the depth of which I 
know I can never find words or means to express. After a 
year's absence I wish so intensely to behold your dear, 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 199 

sweet, loving face again, and to press my lips on your dear 
hands. The older I grow the more I value and appreciate 
that mother's love which is unique in the world; and having, 
since darling Papa's death, only you, the love to my parents 
and to adored Papa's memory is all centred in you. 

Louis has leave from the 11th of June to the 11th of 
August. 

Uncle Ernest is coming here to-day for the day from 
Frankfort, where he has been to a cattle-show. Uncle Adal- 
bert is here, so much pleased with having seen you again, 
singing the praise of both Lenchen and Louise, which of 
course I joined in, as it is such a pleasure to hear others 
admire and appreciate my dear sisters. 

Darmstadt : May 14. 

I know you will be grieved to hear that we all have 
had the grief of losing good, excellent Jager.^ He was, on 
the whole, better and was out daily, and he went to bed as 
usual, when in the middle of the night he called one of the 
men, and before they could come to his assistance he ex- 
pired, having broken a blood-vessel. Poor Katrinchen's 
despair and grief were quite heartrending, when we went 
together to see our true and valued servant for the last 
time. I was so upset by the whole, that it was some days 
before I got over it. We made wreaths to put on his coffin, 
which was covered with flowers sent from all sides, and we 
both were at the door with our servants when he was 
carried out, and tried to console the poor unfortunate 
Braut [Bride], who remained at home. 

He was the best servant one could find ; never, since he 
has been in our service, had he been found fault with by 
anyone. He was good, pious, and gentle, and very intelli- 

* A footman, mucli valued by the Prince and Princess. 



200 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 

gent. The death of a good man, who has fulfilled his 
allotted duty in this world as a good Christian ought, 
touches one deeply, and we have really mourned for him as 
for a friend, for he was one in the true sense of the word. 
Jager rests alongside my poor Willem, in the pretty little 
cemetery here ; a bit of my heart went with them. 

Fritz, on his way back from Italy, spent a few hours 
with us, and told us much of his journey. He heard the 
strangest rumours of France intending to break out in 
sudden hostilities with Germany, and asked me what you 
thought of a probability of a war for this summer. I hope 
to God, that nothing horrid of that sort will happen ! Do 
you think it likely, dear Mama ? 

Darmstadt : May 19. 

My own darling and most precious Mama, 

The warmest and tenderest wishes that grateful 
children can form for a beloved parent we both form for 
you, and these lines but weakly express all I would like to 
say. May God bless and watch over a life so precious and 
so dear to many ! It is now six years since I spent that 
dear day near you, but I hope that some time or other we 
shall be allowed to do so. Our joint present is a medal for 
you with our heads. We had it made large in oxidised 
silver on purpose for you. I myself have braided and em- 
broidered with Christ a' s help (who begged to be allowed to 
do something for you), a trimming for a dress, which I hope 
you will like and wear. It took a deal of my time, and my 
thoughts were so much with you while I was doing it, that 
I quite regretted its completion. 

We are having a bracelet with our miniatures and the 
three children's in it made for you, but unfortunately it is 
not finished, so we shall bring it and give it to you our- 
selves. 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 201 

Darmstadt : May 29. 

. . . The intense heat remains the same, and be- 
comes daily less endm-able here in town — the result on my 
unfortmiate person being a very painful rash which itches 
beyond all description. I hope it won't increase. 

How I envy you at Balmoral ! the very thought of that 

air makes me better. 

Osborne : August 6. 

I was just sitting down to write to you when Ernest 
came in with your dear letter. Thousand thanks for it ! 
These parting lines will be such a dear companion to me 
on our journey. I can't tell you how much I felt taking 
leave of you this time, dear Mama ; it always is such a 
wrench to tear myself away from you and my home again. 
Where I have so, oh, so much to be thankful and grateful 
to you for, I always fear that I can never express my thanks 
as warmly as I feel them, which I do indeed from the 
bottom of my heart. God bless you, darling Mama, for all 
your love and kindness ; and from the depth of my heart 
do I pray that nothing may cause you such anxiety and 
sorrow again as you have had to bear of late. . . . 

When I left you at the pier the return to the empty 
house was so sad ! It felt quite strange, and by no means 
pleasant, to be here without you and all the others. We 
lunched alone with Victoria, and dined in the hot dining- 
room with the ladies and gentlemen, sitting on the terrace 
afterwards. 

It has rained all the morning, and is most oppressive. 
As it is so foggy, we have to leave at two ; but there is no 
wind, and I hope the sea will be quite smooth. I am sure 
you must feel lonely and depressed on this journey, poor 
Mama ; but the change of scene and beautiful nature en- 
joyed in rest and quiet must surely do you good. 



202 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1868 

Kranichstein : August 10. 

. . . We left Osborne at two on Thursday in rain 
and wind. The children and I were dreadfully sick an 
hour after starting, but the passage got smoother later : 
and, though I was very wretched in every way, I was not 
sick again. The same sort of weather on the Alberta next 
morning, but it cleared up later. The Ehine steamer was 
very comfortable, and Doctor Minter accompanied us to 
Dordrecht. The last afternoon and night on board I 
suffered dreadfully. Since I arrived here, I am better, but 
not right yet. Had it not been for your great kindness in 
giving us the ship, I am sure I should not have got home 
right. This awful heat adds to my feelings of fatigue and 
discomfort. 

Kranichstein : August 11. 

I have just received your letter from Lucerne, and 
hasten to thank you for it. 

How glad I am that you admire the beautiful scenery, 
and that I know it, and can share your admiration and en- 
joyment of it in thought with you ! It is most lovely. The 
splendid forms, and the colour of the lake, are two things 
that we don't know in dear Scotland, and which are so 
peculiar to Swiss scenery. 

Louis is in town from eight till our two o'clock dinner, 
and has a great deal to do. 

For your sake as for my own I long for a respite from 
this unbearable heat, which is so weakening and trying. 

Kraniclistein : August 16. 

. . . How satisfactory the accounts of dear good 
Arthur are ! From the depth of my heart do I congratulate 
you on all that Colonel Elphinstone says about his character, 
for with a real moral foundation, and a strict sense of duty 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 203 

and of what is right and wrong, he will have a power to 
combat the temptations of the world and those within him- 
self. I am sure that he will grow up to be a pride and 
pleasure to you, and an honour to his country. 

Brown must have been glad to be allowed to continue 
wearing his kilt, and, as it is a national dress, it is far more 
natural that he should give it up nowhere. I am sure that 
he and Annie ^ must admire the place. 

Kranichstein : August 26. 

I have just received your dear letter, and am so 
pleased to hear that you enjoyed your excursion, and that 
you have now seen the sort of wild scenery high up in the 
mountains, which I think so beautiful and grand in Switzer- 
land. For all admirers of that style of scenery there is 
nothing to be compared to Switzerland. 

Since it became cool again, I have had neuralgia in my 
head, and I have had a dreadful sty, which had to be cut 
open, and made me quite faint and sick for the whole day. 
In spite of it I went to the station here, with a thick veil 
on, to see the Eussian relations pass two days ago. The 
Emperor looks even more altered and worn since last year, 
and is suddenly grown so old. 

Kranichstein : September 4. 

. . . How too delightful your expeditions must have 
been ! I do rejoice that, through the change of weather, 
you should have been able to see and enjoy all that glorious 
scenery. Without your good ponies and Brown, &c., you 
would have felt how difficult such ascents are for common 
mortals, particularly when the horses slip, and finally sit 
down. I am sure all this will have done you good ; seeing 
such totally new beautiful scenery does refresh so im- 

^ Mrs. McDonald, the Queen's first wardrobe-maid. 



204 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1868 

mensely, and the air and exertion — both of which you seem 
to bear so well now — will do your health good. 

Yesterday we both were two hours at Jugenheim. To- 
day the two little cousins are coming to see my children. 

Louis' business is increasing daily, and until the 19th, 
manceuvres, inspections, &c., won't be over. He will even 
have to be away on his birthday, which is a great bore. 
There is a great review for the Emperor on Saturday. 

September 15. 

. . . Like a foolish frightened creature as I am, I 
have worried myself so much about this sudden talk of war 
and threatening in all the French papers, saying that 
October, November, or thereabouts would be a good time to 
begin. Do tell me, if you think there is the least reason- 
able apprehension for anything of that sort this year. I 
have such confidence in your opinion, and you can imagine 
how in my present condition I must tremble before a recur- 
rence of all I went through in 1866 ! 

I am so grieved that you should have been so unwell on 
the journey home. Dear beautiful Scotland will do you 
good. I envy your going there, and wish I could be with 
you, for I am so fond of it. Kemember me to all the good 
people. 

Darmstadt : October 28. 

. . . The Queen of Prussia is coming to lunch with 
us on Saturday on her way to Coblenz. 

I have a cold these last days, and Victoria is still con- 
fined to the house with her swelled neck. She had quite 
lost her appetite, and I tried some porridge for her, which 
she enjoys, and I hope it will fatten her up a little, for she 
is so thin and pale. Would you please order a small barrel 
of oatmeal to be sent to me ? Dr. Weber thinks it would be 
very good for Victoria, and one cannot get it here. 



i868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 205 

Darmstadt : November 20. 

It is with the greatest interest that I read about the 
Mausoleum,^ as I was very anxious to know^ whether all 
would be finished. Having been present before at all the 
important steps in the progress of this undertaking, I feel 
very sorry to be absent at the last, and I shall be very im- 
patient to see it all again. 

Winter has quite set in now here, and when there is no 
wind the cold is very pleasant. 

Darmstadt : December 4. 

Thousand thanks for all your dear kind wishes, for 
your first letter to me, for the one to Louis, and finally for 
the eatables ! I can't tell you how touched, how pleased we 
both are at the kind interest all at home have shown us on 
this occasion. It has really enhanced our pleasure at the 
birth of our little son, to receive so many marks of sympathy 
and attachment from those in my dear native home, and in 
my present one. My heart is indeed overflowing with grati- 
tude for all God's blessings. 

The time itself was very severe, but my recovery is up 
to now the best I have ever made, and I feel comparatively 
strong and well. 

The girls are delighted with their brother, though Vic- 
toria was sorry it was not a sister. Darling Louis was too 
overcome and taken up with me at first to be half pleased 
enough. Baby is to be called, by Louis' Uncle Louis' wish, 
Ernst Ludicig, after a former Landgrave ^ ; then we would 
like you to give the name of Albert ; Charles, after my father- 
in-law; and William, after the King of Prussia, whom we 
mean to ask to be godfather. The christening is most likely 
to be on the 28th or thereabout. 

^ The Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore. 
^ Who died on the 8th of November, 1825. 



2o6 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 

I am on my sofa in my sitting-room with all your dear 
photos, &c., around me, and your pretty quilt over me. 

December 12. 

. . . Every new event in my life renews the grief 
for dear Papa's loss, and the deep regret that he was not 
here to know of all, to ask advice from, to share joy and 
grief with, for he was such a tender father, and would have 
been such a loving grandfather. 

You, darling Mama, fill his place with your own, and 
may God's support never leave you and ever enable you to 
continue fulfilling the many duties towards State and family ! 
The love of your children and people encircles you. 

Darmstadt : December 18. 

. . . The presents you intend giving Baby will de- 
light us, and in later years I can tell him all about his 
Grandpapa, and how I wish and pray he may turn out in 
any way like him, and try and aim to become so. 

I think it would be best, perhaps, if you asked my 
mother-in-law to represent you and hold Baby. I think it 
would pain her, should any one else do it, and I will ask 
her in your name, if you will kindly telegraph to me your 
approval. 

I am sorry Arthur cannot come, it would have given us 
such pleasure had it been possible. 

The greater part of Baby's monthly gowns have been put 
away, as from the beginning they were too small. He is so 
very big. 

Christmas Day. 

. . . Louis thanks you thousand times, as we do for 
the charming presents for the children. They showed them 
to everyone, shouting, * This is from my dear English 



1 868 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 207 

Grandmama ; ' and Ella, who is always sentimental, added : 
' She is so very good, my Grandmama.' Irene could not 
be parted from the doll yon gave her, nor Victoria from hers. 
Baby was brought down, and was wide awake the whole 
time, looking about with his little bright eyes like a much 
older child. 

We spent a very happy Christmas eve, surrounded by 
the dear children and our kind relations. 

Darmstadt : December 29. 

. . . Prince Hohenzollern with three gentlemen 
was sent by the King, and the former dined with us after 
the ceremony. All went off so well, and Baby, who is in 
every w^ay like a child of two months, looked about him 
quite wisely, and was much admired by all who saw him. 

I am so sorry that you have never seen my babies since 
Victoria, for I know you would admire them, they look so 
mottled and healthy. Weather permitting. Baby is to be. 
photographed to-morrow. 



2o8 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 



1869 

The winter passed quickly and quietly amidst many occu- 
pations. 

In May the Prince and Princess, with their children, 
went on a visit to the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia 
at Potsdam, where they spent four happy weeks. Whilst 
they were there, the Viceroy of Egypt paid a visit to Berlin. 
Later in the summer they went to Silesia, and spent some 
time at Fischhach, a property belonging to Princess Charles 
of Hesse, whose sister, the Queen of Bavaria, and brother. 
Prince Adalbert of Prussia, joined them there. During 
their stay, the Prince and Princess made excursions into 
the neighbouring mountains, and ascended the Schneekoppe; 
and the Prince and his brothers visited the battlefield of 
Konigsgratz. On the way back to Darmstadt they visited 
Dresden, to see the King and Queen of Saxony at their 
country seat, Pillnitz, an hour's drive from Dresden. 

In August, the King of Prussia for the first time 
personally inspected the Hessian troops. The Prince com- 
manded the troops at the manoeuvres in Upper Hesse, at 
the conclusion of which they paraded before the King of 
Prussia at Bergen. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 209 

Some weeks later the Prince and Princess of Wales and 
their family paid Prince and Princess Louis a visit at 
Kranichstein. The opening of the Idiot Asylum built by the 
-'Princess took place on the 15th of October in her presence 
and that of the Prince. It had been arranged that Prince 
Louis should accompany the Crown Prince of Prussia on 
his journey to the East, on the occasion of the opening of the 
Suez Canal. He started on the 9th of October for Venice. 
The two Princes visited Cotfu, Athens, and Constantinople, 
and were received with every possible honour in the capi- 
tals of Greece and Turkey. They went on to Jaffa, and 
thence to Jerusalem, Hebron, Damascus, and Baalbec, 
and finally, on the 15th of November, they arrived at Port 
Said, where they met a large number of other Princes. A 
journey up the Nile as far as the first and second cataracts 
brought their travels to an end. They returned home by 
way of Naples, and through Italy. 

During the absence of the two Princes, the Crow^n 
Princess of Prussia and Princess Alice, with her little son, 
went to Cannes. Whilst there, the Princess devoted herself 
entirely to the care of her child. Being together with her 
sister, and in that sunny country, made up somewhat for 
the long separation from her husband. The Princes 
joined the two Princesses at Cannes shortly before Christ- 
mas. The new year saw them all at home again. 



2IO AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

Darmstadt : January 8. 

. . . Dear charming Lady Frances [Baillie] is on a 
Yisit with us, and I enjoy having her so much. We talk of 
old times at Frogmore, and so many pleasant recollections. 
I am glad that you like Baby's photograph, though it 
does not do him justice. He is a pretty baby on the whole, 
and has a beautiful skin, very large eyes, and pretty mouth 
and chin ; but his nose is not very pretty, as it is so short 
at present. He is a dear good child, and, though immensely 
lively, does not give much trouble. He is a great source of 
happiness to us, and I trust will continue so. 

Darmstadt : January 13. 

... Is not the death of Leopold's son shocking ? ^ 
Such suffering, such a struggle for months between life 
and death ; and for the poor parents to have in the end to 
relinquish their child, their only son ! I think it heart- 
rending. May the Almighty continue to support them 
even now, as he did these many months ! I cannot say 
how much and truly I feel for them both. This world is 
full of trials, and some seem to be called upon to suffer and 
give up so much. Faith and resignation alone can save 
those hearts from breaking, when the burden must be so 
heavy. 

A few days ago at two o'clock we had another shock [of 
earthquake], and it seemed as if the house rocked ; at the 
same time the unearthly noise. I think it uncommonly 
unpleasant, particularly this repetition. 

January 30. 

Our thoughts and prayers are so much with you and 
dear Leopold on this day [his Confirmation]. May the 
Almighty bless and protect that precious boy, and give him 

* The only son and heir of the King of the Belgians. 



1 869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 211 

health and strength to contmue a life so well begun and so 
full of promise ! 

It seems to me quite incredible, the eighth of us should 
already be old enough to take this step in life, and to have 
his childhood in fact behind him. Dear Papa's blessing 
surely rests on him, and his spirit is near you as you stand 
there alone by the side of his child, about whom he always 
was so anxious. 

February 5. 

. . . Beloved Papa's cast arrived a few days ago, 
•and stands in my bedroom. I think it very beautiful, and 
thank you so warmly for having sent it me. 

Poor Orchard, whose leg is very painful and swelled, is 
to go to bed for a week for entire rest of the limb. You can 
imagine how inconvenient this is, as we have only Emma 
and Kathrinchen for the others and Baby. You will be 
amused when I tell you, that old Amelung is coming to 
sleep with baby, and take charge of him ; but she is too 
old and out of practice to be able to wash and dress him 
morning and evening besides, so I do that, and it is of 
course a great assistance to all, my being able to do it, and 
I don't mind the trouble. Of a morning, as Louis is usually 
out riding or at his office, I take Victoria and Ella out, who 
are very good little girls and very amusing. 

Darmstadt : March 8. 

. . . We shall go to Potsdam the first week in May, 
and from there go for a week or ten days to Fischbach. 
My mother-in-law, Tante Mariechen, and Uncle Adalbert 
are all going to spend my mother-in-law's birthday there. 
The Moriers are going to England in the first days of 
April, and I hope that you will see them. We see a good 
•deal of them, and like them both much. He is wonderfully 

p 2 



212 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

clever and learned, and takes interest in everything ; and 
she is very agreeable, and a most satisfied, amiable disposi- 
tion — alwaj^s contented and amused. 

March 19. 

I thought of you so much on the 16th. From that 
day dated the commencement of so much grief and sorrow ; 
yet in those days you had o/ie, darling Mama, whose first 
and deepest thought was to comfort and help you, and I 
saw and understood only then lioiv he watched over you, 
and how and everywhere he sought to ward off all that was 
painful and strange from you, and took all that pain alone 
for himself, for your sake ! I see his dear face — so pale, 
and so full of tears, when he led me to you early that 
morning after all was over, and said, ' Comfort Mama,' as 
if those words were a Vorbedeutung [presage] of what was 
to come. In those days, I think he knew how deep my 
love was for you, and that, as long as I was left in my home, 
my first and only thought should be you and you alone I 
This I held as my holiest and dearest duty, until I had to 
leave you, my beloved Mother, to form a home and family 
for myself, and new ties which were to take up much of my 
heart and strength. 

But that bond of love, though I can no more be near 
you, is as strong as ever. 

Darmstadt : March 23. 

. . . Yesterday it was very warm, and to-day it 
snows ; the weather continues so changeable and man}^ 
people are ill. Ella has again had one of her bad attacks 
in her throat, but, thank God, it passed away very soon. 
Two nights ago she could not speak — barely breathe — and 
was so uncomfortable, poor child. It makes one so anxious 
each time ; but I hope she will outgrow it, when she is six 
or seven years old. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 213 

Victoria is already now composing a letter for your 
birthday. I won't have her helped, because I should like 
you to see her own ideas and style — it is much more 
amusing. 

March 26. 

. . . We had such an unexpected pleasure the other 
day in the visit of good General Seymour, and I was so 
pleased to see some one who had seen you lately, and who 
could give me news of my home. He had not been here 
since he came with us after our marriage, and was of course 
interested in seeing everything. 

April 2. 

. . . The constant anxiety about the children is 
dreadful ; and it is not physical ill one dreads for them, it 
is moral : the responsibility for these little lent souls is 
great, and, indeed, none can take it lightly who feel how 
great and important a parent's duty is. 

Darmstadt : April 5. 

. . . Thousand thanks for your dear letter, and for 
all the tender wishes for our dear child's birthday ! The 
child born under your roof and your care is of course your 
particular one, and later, if you wish to keep her at any 
time when we have been paying you a visit, we shall gladly 
leave her. 

Victoria is so delighted with what jow sent her, and 
sends her very warmest thanks and her tenderest love. 
She is in great beauty just at present, as she is grown 
stouter ; and I look with pleasure on those two girls when 
they go out together. They possess, indeed, all we could 
wish, and are full of promise. May the Almighty protect 
them and give them a long life, to be of use and a joy to 
their fellow-creatures ! 



214 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

April 16. 
. . . Eain and wind have at length cooled the aii% 
for this heat without any shade was too unpleasant. Louis 
left at five this morning to inspect the garrison at Friedberg 
and Giessen, and then to go to Alsfeld to shoot Auerhdhne 
[capercailzies]. He will return on the 21st or 22nd prob- 
ably. 

We shall indeed be so pleased, if later you wish to 
have any of the granddaughters with you, to comply with 
any such wish, for I often think so sadly for your dear 
sake, how lonely it must be when one child after another 
grows up and leaves home ; and even if they remain, to 
have no children in the house is most dreary. Surely you 
can never lack to have some from amongst the many grand- 
children ; and there are none of us, who would not gladly 
have our children live under the same roof where we passed 
such a happy childhood, with such a loving Grandmama to 
take care of them. 

April 25. 

. . . May I only know the way to give my children 
as much j)Ieasure and happiness as you have ever known 
to give me ! 

The dinner of family and suite is here in the house to- 
day — or rather I should call it a luncheon, as it is at tw^o 
o'clock. 

The Irish Church question, I quite feel with you, will 
neither be solved nor settled in this way ; and instead of 
doing something which would bring the Catholics more 
under the authority of the State, they will, I fear, be the 
more powerful. It seems to me that one injustice (with 
regard to the Protestants) is to be put in the place of a 
former one, instead of doing justice to both, which would 
not have been an impossibility through some well-con- 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 215 

sidered settlement and giving in on both sides. Such a 
changement requires so much thought and wisdom, and, 
above all, impartiality. 

May 3. 

. . . My children are, on the whole, very well be- 
haved and obedient, and, save by fits and starts, which 
don't last long, very manageable. I try to be very just and 
consistent in all things towards them, but it is sometimes 
a great trial of patience, I own. They are so forward, clever, 
and spirited, that the least spoiling would do them great 
harm. 

How glad I am that the dear Countess [Bliicher] is with 
you again ; she is the pleasantest companion possible, and 
so dear and loving, and she is devoted to you and dear 
Papa's memory as never anyone was. 

Potsdam : May 25. 

How much we thought of you yesterday, I can't say ! 
Lord Augustus Loftus lunched with us three and the elder 
children ; and we drank your health, the band playing 
* God save the Queen ! ' All our girls had wreaths of natural 
flowers in honour of the day. 

Potsdam ; June 1. 

. . . To-day is regular March weather, and the 
palace is cold and draughty. 

We were in Berlin yesterday, to visit the Gewerbe- 
Museum [Industrial Museum] ; then luncheon at Lord 
Augustus Loftus's, and from thence to the Victoria bazaar 
and Victoria Stift, and then home. 

It is always so tiring to see things at Berlin ; an hour's 
rail there and the same back takes so much time. Before 
returning, we paid a short visit to Baron Stockmar and his 
wife, who is very pleasing, and seems to suit him perfectly. 
They look as if they had always belonged to each other. 



2i6 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

Potsdam : June 13. 

Our time here is soon drawing to a close, much, to 
my regret ; for the Hfe with dear Vicky — so quiet and plea- 
sant — reminds me in many things of our life in England 
in former happy days, and so much that we had Vicky has 
copied for her children. Yet we both always say to each 
other, no children were so happy ; and so spoiled with all 
the enjoyments and comforts children can wish for, as we 
were ; and that we can never (of course, still less I) give 
our children all that we had. I am sure dear Papa and 
you, if you could ever hear how^ often, how tenderly, Vicky 
and I talk of our most beloved parents, and how grateful 
we are for what they did for us, w^ould in some measure feel 
repaid for all the trouble we gave, and all the anxiety we 
caused. I ever look back to my childhood and gMhood as 
the happiest time of my life. The responsibilities, and often 
the want of many a thing, in married life can never give 
unalloyed happiness. 

We are looking for a governess for the two elder girls 
for next year, and a lady with the necessary knowledge and 
character, and yet of a certain rank, is so difficult to find. 

Potsdam : June 19. 

Louis went two days ago to Fischbach for his mother's 
birthday, and returns to-morrow morning. Vicky was very 
low yesterday ; she has been so for the last week, and she told 
me much of what an awful time she went through in 1866, 
when dear Siggie [Sigismund] died. The little chapel is 
very peaceful and cheerful, and full of flowers. We go 
there en passant nearly daily, and it seems to give dear 
Vicky pleasure to go there. 

Vicky goes on the 7th of July to Norderney. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 217 

Fischbach, Schlesien : July 2. 

We arrived here in this exquisitely-lovely country 
two days ago, and were received by our parents-in-law and 
Aunt Mariechen, whose guests we are in the pretty old 
Castle of Fischbach, surrounded by fine old trees, with a 
view on the beautiful Eiesengebirge, which reminds me a 
little of Scotland, and also of Switzerland. The valleys 
are most lovely and the numberless wooded hills, before one 
reaches the high mountains, are quite beautiful. The trees 
are splendid and the country looks very rich and green. 

All the people of the village and the neighbourhood came 
out to see us and our children, and old servants of Louis' 
grandparents, who were so delighted and pleased that I 
and my children should be here, and that they should have 
lived to see the younger generation. 

We are out seeing the beautiful spots nearly all day 
long. The weather is fine, and not very warm, so that one 
can go about comfortably. Yesterday we went over for tea 
to Erdmannsdorf. If only dear Vicky and Fritz were there 
now ! We must hope for another year to be there together. 
The parting from them, who had made our sejoiir under 
their hospitable roof such a very happy one, was very sad, 
and the pouring rain was in accordance with our feelings. 
We left them and dear lovely Potsdam and the pleasant life 
there with much regret, and many a blessing do I send back 
in thought to its dear inmates. 

Yesterday afternoon we were at Schmiedeberg. We 
went to see a very interesting carpet-manufactory, worked 
by hand, and all by girls, and a very simple process, much 
like making fringe, which you used to do and then make 
footstools of after Beatrice's birth. 

Yesterday our wedding-day — already seven years ago — 
made me think so much of Osborne, and of you, darling 



2i8 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

Mama, and of all that passed during that time. It was a 
quiet wedding in a time of much sorrow, and I often think 
how trying it must have been for you. 

Kranichstein : July 21. 

Yesterday after eighteen hours' very hot railway journey, 
we arrived here all well. Many thanks for your letter, which 
I received at Dresden. It was impossible to write, as I had 
to pay visits and to see things, during those two days. 

The Crown Prince and Princess received us at the 
station ; the following day we paid our visits. I found 
Marie ^ in bed looking very well, and her baby, tied up in a 
cushion, seemed a nice child. Her other children are very 
pretty ; the eldest girl is like George, and the little one has. 
a quantity of fair curls, like Louis of Portugal's boy. In 
the afternoon of that day the King and Queen came to see 
us, and were very kind. She is very like the Queen Dow- 
ager of Prussia, her twin sister, and her other sister, Queen 
Marie, is very like her twin sister. Archduchess Sophie. As 
they are first cousins, and very fond ones, of my father-in- 
law, they consider themselves of course as our aunts. 

I went to see the picture-gallery, which has some ex- 
quisite pictures, though the Sistine Madonna surpasses all 
others, and the famous Holbein, of which the Dresden 
gallery has been for long so proud, is now recognised as a 
copy, and the one that belongs to my mother-in-law as 
the original. We visited the Griine Gewolbe [the Green 
Vaults], where the magnificent jewels and other treasures- 
are preserved, and the King was kind enough to lead u& 
over the rest of the castle himself, including his own rooms, 
in one of which the life-size pictures of his last four daughters. 

2 Princess George of Saxony, Infanta of Portugal, who died in February 
1884. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 219 

(all dead) stand, of whom he cannot speak without tears. 
How dreadfully he and the poor Queen must have suffered 
these last years ! 

Uncle Louis is at Friedherg and intends remaining there 
all next month, till the manoeuvres are over. Alice Morier 
will accompany me. 

Kranichstein : July 25. 

Thousand thanks for your kind letter which I re- 
ceived yesterday, at the same time that the beautiful chris- 
tening present for Ernest arrived ! Thousand thanks for 
this most beautiful and precious gift for our boy, from 
Louis and from myself ! We are so pleased with it ! It 
is to be exhibited here, and it will interest and delight all 
who see it, I am sure. 

I have just received a letter from Bertie, announcing 
his arrival here for the 28th. We shall be greatly pleased 
to see them all ; but we have so little room, and our house 
in town is all shut up and under repair, so that we shall 
have some trouble to make them comfortable and shall be 
quite unable to do it as we should wish. But I trust they 
will be lenient and put up with what we can offer. 

The heat is very great, though this place is compara- 
tively cool. 

Kranichstein : July 29. 

Dear Bertie and Alix with their children arrived at 
Darmstadt after ten, and we brought them here by eleven 
o'clock last night. They are all looking well, but Bertie 
has shaved off his beard, which does not suit him. Dear 
Alix is unchanged, and certainly no fatter. 

The children are very dear and pretty, but my boy is as 
tall as little Louise, and of course much bigger. I am so 
delighted to see them all again ; it is such a great pleasure, 
as you can well imagine. 



220 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

The pony you kindly sent ns has just arrived, and to 
the great deHght of all the children, who send their best 
thanks. We are all lodged very close together : Bertie 
and Alix, our bedroom and my dressing-room ; we both, 
my sitting-room, and the passage-room ; then come the dif- 
ferent children. No gentlemen or ladies are in the house, 
as it was utterly impossible. 

Kranichstein : August 11. 

. . . Victoria has often ridden on Dred, and also 
the other girls, on a Spanish saddle, and he goes very 
well. They delight in him. Baby rolls about the room 
anywhere now, and tries to crawl properly. He calls Papa, 
and tries no end of things ; he is very forward, and is now 
cutting his fifth tooth, which is all but through. 

Friedberg : August 26. 

On this dear day I must send you a few words. 
The weather is so beautiful, and the sun so bright, as it 
used to be at Osborne in former years. I don't care for 
the sun to shine on this day now, as it can't shine on Him 
whose day it was. It makes one too wehmilthig to think of 
darling Papa on those happy birthdays, and it must be 
more so for you than for any of us, poor Mama. 

Yesterday was Ludwigstag ; all the town decorated with 
flags, illuminations, &c., and English flags and arms with 
the Hessian everywhere. 

"We started on horseback along the high road at half- 
past seven this morning, and did not get off till one. A 
lovely country and very interesting to see. To-morrow we 
shall have a very long march, and the night Alice Morier, 
I and William (Louis is undecided) will spend at Prince 
Ysenburg's at Biidingen. The next morning we have to 
ride off at half -past five, and a long day back here. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 221 

Kranichstein : September 11. 

. . . What charming expeditions you must have 
made in that lovely comitry ! ^ What I saw of it some 
years ago I admired so intensely. You can well be proud 
of all the beauties of the Highlands, which have so entirely 
their own stamp, that no Alpine scenery, however grand, 
can lessen one's appreciation for that of Scotland. 

The day before yesterday we went to Mayence to see a 
* Gewerbe-Ausstellung ' [Industrial Exhibition] of the town, 
which was very good and tastefully arranged. From there 
we went to Frankfort to our palace, for a rendezvous with 
Aunt Cambridge, Uncle George, Augusta and Fritz Strelitz. 
I showed them the children, and afterwards, when our re- 
lations left, we took our children to the Zoological Garden, 
which delighted them. 

Many thanks for the grouse, which has just arrived, the 
first since two years ago ! 

Darmstadt : October 3. 

... I am very glad that you also approve of Louis' 
journey, which I know will be so useful and interesting for 
him, though it was not possible to attain this without part- 
ing from each other, which is, of course, no small trial for 
us, who are so unaccustomed to being separated. But we 
never thought of that when we considered the plan of Louis 
joining Fritz, which was my idea, as travelling in new 
countries is so good for a man, and Louis may never find 
so good a chance again. I am looking forward very much 
to seeing Geneva — where we spend a day — and the south 
of France, and, above all, seeing the sea again. Fritz i^asses 
through here to-morrow. Louis starts Saturday morning, 

^ This refers to the Queen's stay at Invertrossachs, and the excursions 
to the neighbourhood. These are described in More Leaves from a Journal 
of a Life in the Highlands, pp. 116-147 (London, 1884). 



222 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

via Munich, for Venice, where he will join Fritz next 
Sunday afternoon, and spend the following Monday there 
before they go to Brindisi. Vicky comes here with her 
children on the 12th or 13th, and a suite of twenty-five 
people. She goes on with the big boys to Baden, and I 
follow with the other children on the following day. I 
don't like separating Victoria and Ella, who like being 
together ; the three girls will be so well taken care of at 
their grandparents'. I have written down rules for meals, 
going out, to bed, to lessons, &c. ; and my mother-in-law, 
who never interferes, will see that all is carried out as I 
wish. I shall miss them so much, but having one child 
at least is a comfort ; and Baby is beginning to talk, and is 
so funny and dear, and so fond of me that he will be com- 
pany to me when I am alone. I take no one but Orchard, 
Eliza, Beck, and my Haushofmeister [Steward], who used 
to be with Lord Granville. 

Darmstadt : October 11. 

Yesterday morning at eleven we had the hard sepa- 
ration from each other, which we both felt very much. 
My own dear, tender-hearted Louis was quite in the state 
he was in when we parted at Windsor in 1860 after our en- 
gagement. He does not like leaving his children, his home, 
and me, and really there are but few such husbands and 
fathers as he. To possess a heart like his, and to call it 
my oicn, I am ever prouder of and more grateful for from 
year to year. Nowadays young men like Louis are rare 
enough, for it is considered fine to neglect one's wife, and 
for the wife also to have amusements in which her husband 
does not share. We sisters are singularly blessed in our 
husbands. 

Dear kind Countess Bliicher has been here the last 
two days— such a happiness to me just now, for the house 
feels far too lonely. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 223 

Grand Hotel, Cannes : November 5. 

... I have this instant received another letter from 
dear Louis from Constantinople, giving the accounts of 
what they did and saw there until the 29th ult., when they 
left for Jaffa. He seems delighted, and very greatly inter- 
ested with all he has seen. Louis thought so much of the 
Sultan's English visit in 1867, on seeing him again. He 
found him more talkative than then. He saw also several 
of the suite who were in England. They went to Scutari, 
into the Black Sea, and visited all in and near Constan- 
tinople, and on the last day they visited the Emperor of 
Austria, who had just arrived. There is something very 
funny in hearing of these Eoyalties, one after another, all 
running to the same places. They must bore the Sultan 
considerably. 

This journey will be of great advantage to dear Louis, 
who has never had an opportunity (through marrying so 
young) of travelling like others. 

This afternoon we went to see poor Princess Waldeck. 
She is still in great grief at the loss of her eldest daughter, 
who suffered so long, and knew she was dying, and bore her 
lot with such resignation and such goodness. She was 
only fifteen-and-a-half, I think. 

I was very much pleased to see Lord and Lady Eussell 
again the other day. We hope to be able to pay them a 
visit at San Eemo, though one can't go and return in the 
same day. 

The country has looked too lovely to-day ; the sunset is 
always most beautiful, for it sets behind the Esterel moun- 
tains, which lie to the right from this bay, and have a very 
lovely jagged form. 

I am reading to Vicky a new Life of Napoleon, by Lan- 
frey, which is very well and impartially written. 



224 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

Cannes : December 14. 

. . . The heavenly bkie sea, stretchmg so far and 
wide, is in accordance with one's feehngs, and the beauties 
of nature have ahvays something comforting and sooth- 
ing. . . . 

The Duke of Argyll's sister, with his pretty daughter 
Victoria, are here, and we have been twice to see them, and 
are distressed that they should be so anxious about the 
dear Duchess, of whom the news to-day is worse. How 
dreadful, should anything happen to her, for her husband 
and for the many children ! 

The Eburys and Lord Dalhousie have likewise arrived 
here, but we have not seen them yet. 

To-morrow we had intended leaving this, but during the 
night poor Vicky had the dreadful fright of Waldie's being 
taken ill with the croup. Thank God, he is better this- 
morning, but our journey will have to be put off for a few 
days, so that Vicky cannot now reach Berlin in time for 
Christmas. As we don't wish to spend that day en route, 
we have telegraphed to our husbands, who reach Naples to- 
day, to ask whether they will not join us here, that we may 
all spend Christmas together before leaving. 

This is all unsettled, and I will telegraph as soon as 
anything is definitively arranged. Eollet * is here to-day, 
and spends this day in quiet with us. 

Cannes : December 20. 

We both had the happiness yesterday of receiving 
our dear husbands safe and well here after so long a separ- 
ation. 

They had been to Naples and Pompeii, and Louis went 

* Madame Eollande, formerly the Princess's French governess. 



i869 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 225 

for a day to Eome, so that he has seen an enormous 
deal, which is very instructive for him, and will be such a 
pleasure for him to look back upon in later years. 

I am so glad that Louis has had the opportunity of 
making this journey ; and it seems to have done his health 
good also, for he looks very well. 

The journey back is so long and difficult for me to 
manage alone with Louis — as Vicky's people, particularly in 
the nursery, have helped mine — that I am obliged to wait 
until the 26th, and to go with Yicky and Fritz, for they 
travel slower than I would do if I went with Louis, who 
goes back dkect day and night. The doctor would not 
consent to my travelling with Ernie from this w^arm climate 
into the great cold so fast, and during the night, for he is 
cutting four back teeth at this moment. 

The day before yesterday we visited Lord Dalhousie 
and Lady Christian, and found him very gouty, but in good 
spirits. Lady Ebury and Oggie^ came to see us this after- 
noon. Prince and Princess Frederic of the Netherlands 
and their daughter have arrived here. The poor Princess 
is so weak, and looks like a shadow. 

Hotel du Jura, Dijon : December 28. 

Just as we were leaving Cannes your last letter 
reached me, for which many thanks. It was cold the 
morning we left Cannes, very cold at Avignon, where we 
spent the night, and still colder, and snow and frost, on 
reaching this place yesterday evening. We and the children 
are all well, and the poor little ones are very good on the 
journey, considering all things. In an hour we leave for 
Paris, rest there to-morrow, and then go to Cologne, where 
I shall take leave of dear Yicky and Fritz, and go straight 

^ Miss Grosvenor, Lady Ebury's daughter. 

Q 



226 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1869 

home. I have been so much with dear Vicky this year, 
that the thought of parting from her costs me a great pang, 
the more so as I do not think it hkely that I shall meet her 
in this new year. 

On New Year's eve I arrange a Christmas-tree for all 
my children, and in advance I thank you for all the presents 
jou have been kind enough to send us, and which we shall 
fin-d at Darmstadt. . . 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 227 



1870 

At the beginning of this year, and soon after his return 
from the East, Prince Louis was laid up with scarlet fever, 
and, soon after. Princess Victoria and the little Prince took 
the same illness. Though the attack was a severe one, all 
made a good recovery, and no ill effects remained behind. 
Princess Alice undertook the nursing entirely herself. Dur- 
ing this time of enforced seclusion from the social world 
her intercourse with the famous writer and theologian, 
David Friedrich Strauss, was a source to her of great 
interest and enjoyment. 

The Princess became acquainted with this remarkable 
man in the autumn of 1868 at her own particular desire, 
and after considerable hesitation on his part. Strauss had 
spent the winter of 1866 at Darmstadt. He returned there 
again in the spring of 1868, and remained there till the 
autumn of 1872. His own account of his acquaintance 
with the Princess was by her wish not published at the 
time, but has been since, with the consent of his family 
and that of the Grand Duke. From this the following 
narrative is taken almost verbatim : — 

Q 2 



228 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

'Although I was entirely unaccustomed to associate 
with persons of high rank, I soon felt entirely at ease with 
this lady. Her simplicity, the kind manner in which she 
met me, and her keen bright intellect made me forget all 
differences of social position.' 

Strauss visited the Princess very often, and their con- 
versations lasted sometimes for hours. He himself speaks 
of them as ' most delightful and refreshing.' 

Very often they read aloud, and this no doubt led to a 
suggestion from Strauss, that he should write down notes 
about Voltaire — whose works they were studying — and 
afterwards read them to the Princess. She entered readily 
into this plan. ' Her idea was to have a select circle of 
listeners. Besides herself and one of her ladies, with whom 
she was very intimate, Prince Louis, and the English 
Minister then at Darmstadt, Mr. [now Sir Eobert] Morier, 
were to be present.' The illness of Prince Louis prevented 
this plan from being carried out. 

* She, however, asked me,' Strauss writes, ' to come and 
see her, if I was not afraid of infection. She said that the 
next few weeks would be very solitary ones, and it would 
be of great value to her if I felt disposed to put up with 
her as sole audience for my lectures on Voltaire. To this 
I was only too willing to agree.' 

The manuscript took the form of seven lectures, and the 
author was rewarded for his pains * by the keen interest 
and unwavering attention of his listener.' 

After repeated revisions the printing of the work on 



i87o AT HOME AND AT WORK. , 229 

Voltaire began. Strauss gives his own account of this in 
the following extract : — 

* When it first occurred to me to write something on 
Voltaire for the Princess in the form of lectures, I natur- 
ally cherished the hope that, when the little book was 
printed, I might obtain her permission to dedicate it to her. 
As the work progressed, however, this hope became fainter, 
and by the time the book was ready I had entirely given 
it up. 

* I could only take pleasure in my work, if I felt I had 
been perfectly sincere ; if, instead of condemning Voltaire, as 
is usually the case, I stood up for him upon essential points 
— nay, even went so far as to intimate that here and there 
he had seemed to me not to have gone far enough. 

' The Princess might naturally have scruples about allow- 
ing a book of such a tendency to be dedicated to her, 
considering her position and what was due to it ; and to 
ask her to allow the book to be dedicated to her seemed 
forbidden by that discretion which I was bound to observe. 
The thought then struck me of writing with my own hand 
into the copy of the book which I gave her the Dedication, 
in the terms in which it now stands printed on the second 
page of the volume. Meanwhile, on the one hand, the 
friendly intercourse with the Princess continued, whilst on 
the other the printing of the book advanced. One day in 
the most kind manner she told me how much she felt she 
owed to our acquaintance, and how much it had helped to 
clear her views in many ways. I, on my part, expressed to 
her in all sincerity the animating and exhilarating influence 
which our intercourse had exercised upon myself, and, in 
particular, how it had cheered and encouraged me in my 
labours on Voltaire. 



230 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

* " It would be nice, if you would dedicate your book to 
me," the Princess rejoined. How agreeably surprised 1 
was can easily be imagined. I acknowledged without hesi- 
tation how this had been my first intention, but that I had 
given it up out of regard for her, not wishing to expose her 
to misinterpretation. The Princess replied that the fear of 
being misunderstood would never prevent her from doing 
what she thought right. I pointed out, that the matter 
must be well and carefully considered, and that, first and 
foremost, she must obtain her husband's consent. Her 
answer was that she had no fear on that point ; but that 
she would of course consult him about it. I told the Prin- 
cess that I had made several changes and additions since I 
first wrote tie lectures. I would therefore bring her the 
proof sheets as soon as they were ready, partly that she 
might glance over the whole again, and partly that she 
might draw the Prince's attention to any doubtful passages. 
They would then be able to form their own opinions. 

* I sent her the proof sheets, and received them back 
from the Princess on the 11th of June, 1870, with the 
following letter : — 

* " Dear Herr Professor, — I return you your Voltaire 
with many thanks. My husband read through the fifth 
chapter of it yesterday ; he does not think that its contents 
are such as to justify my refusing the dedication. The 
value which I place on the dedication of your book will 
always be far greater than any little unpleasantness which 
might possibly arise from my accepting it. 

' " Alice." 

* The dedication was thus unqualifiedly accepted, but 
now — in what words should I put it ? I had got accus- 



iSyo AT HOME AND AT WORK. 231 

tomed to the form in which I had meant to write it myself 
into the copy I wished to present to the Princess. I 
intended saying that I had written lectures for the Prin- 
cess, and that she had allowed me to read them aloud to 
her. Would not this make the Princess, so to speak, an 
accomplice of this objectionable book ? Could I state this 
publicly ? I felt myself bound to leave to the Princess the 
choice between this dedication and a more formal one, in 
which these allusions were omitted. Upon this the Princess 
sent me the following answer : — 



( (I 



I should not like any change made in what you 
have written on the first page, and am greatly touched at 
your kind dedication." 

' " Alice." 

' "When I was at last able to send her my book in its 
complete form with the Dedication printed, I received the 
following note from her, written from Kranichstein, on the 
27th of June, 1870 :— 

* " I have not been able till to-day to thank you for your 
Voltaire received yesterday. The book itself is the cause 
of the delay, as I devoted my spare time to reading over 
what you had yourself read to me so beautifully last 
winter. I seemed to hear your voice and all your observa- 
tions again. I must thank you once more for that great 
enjoyment, and for the kind terms of your dedication." 

' " Alice." 

' Seldom have the negotiations about the dedication of 
a book been carried on in a way like this, and seldom has 
a Koyal Princess shown herself so courageous and amiable.' 



232 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

All must agree in this opinion, from whatever point of 
view they look at the subject. It was like the Princess's 
straightforward nature boldly to acknowledge to the world 
her friendship for Strauss, even at the risk of incurring the 
most unfavourable criticisms. 

Strauss says, further, in his Memoirs : — 

^ The memory of the Princess Alice will be inseparably 
connected, as long as I live, with one of the most gratifying 
episodes of my life — the writing of my work on Voltaire.' 

To this must be added that though, as time went on, 
the Princess agreed less and less with Strauss' s avowed 
religious views, and especially differed considerably from 
those enunciated in his book The Old cmcl the New Faith, 
she never thought otherwise of Strauss than with gratitude 
and esteem, as one in whom she had met with the most 
beautiful characteristics of the best German scholarship — 
viz., unflinching sincerity, combined with a rare gift of 
saying what it has to say clearly and pleasantly, and a 
winning modesty of personal demeanour. 

In the end of March the Prince and Princess with their 
family went to Mayence for change of air after the scarlet 
fever. The Princess went much into society during her stay 
there ; but this did not prevent her from making use of every 
possible opportunity for furthering those institutions which 
she had so much at heart. She visited the hospitals at 
Mayence, Offenbach, and Giessen, and had many consulta- 
tions with the heads of these various hospitals with a view 
to possible improvements. 



i87o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 233 

The quiet, happy time at Kranichstein during the sum- 
mer was suddenly brought to an end by the declaration of 
war between France and Germany. Prince Louis had to 
go to the front with his division, which, together with 
another division, formed the Ninth Army Corps, and part 
of the Second Army, commanded by Prince Frederick Charles 
of Prussia. The Princess took leave of her husband on the 
25th of July. She, however, saw him again once or twice 
before the final leave-taking, on the 1st of August. 

On the 15th of August the Hessian division for the first 
time encountered the enemy, before Metz, and on the 16th 
took part in the battle of Mars-la-Tour. During the terrible 
battle of Gravelotte, on the 18th of August, Prince Louis 
and his division occupied a central position in the irresistible 
force, which drove Marshal Bazaine back into Metz, and 
held him imprisoned there with an iron grasp. 

On the 19th Prince Louis and the troops encamped on 
the battlefield, and he had the pleasure of meeting his 
brother Henry. Prince Louis took part in the battle of 
Noisseville on the 31st of August, when General Manteuffel 
commanded the troops engaged. He and his division also 
formed part of the army investing Metz, partly doing out- 
post duty, and partly serving in the reserve. 

On the 8th of October, whilst the Prince was in com- 
mand of his division at Gravelotte, where the troops were 
concentrated in hourly expectation of a sortie of the French 
from Metz, he received the news of the birth of a second 
son, who had been born on the 7th. 

Ever since the Prince's departure the Princess had 



234 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

remained ' at her post ' in Darmstadt, helping, comforting, 
and advising all aromid her. She was proud to be the wife 
of a German officer serving in the field in such a cause, 
though her life for the present was full of anxiety and care. 
She worked, like any other woman, to alleviate as best she 
could the sufferings of the sick and the wounded, and giv- 
ing aid to those who were plunged into destitution by the 
war. Whilst she was living with her children at Kranich- 
stein the ' Hiilfsverein,' or Committee of Aid, had its head- 
quarters in her palace at Darmstadt. She herself went 
there every day, visited all the hospitals, also the ambu- 
lances at the railway station, and superintended the organ- 
isation of * Committees of Aid ' all over the country. The 
Committees which she had organised long previously now 
proved themselves an untold blessing. 

The * Alice Society for Aid to Sick and Wounded ' had 
sixteen trained nurses ready for work at the beginning of 
the war. Through the voluntary help of some of the best 
doctors and surgeons, who arranged classes at different places 
for the instruction of all those who were anxious to help to 
nurse during the war, the number of nurses was increased 
by degrees to one hundred and sixty-four. These were 
sent to the different hospitals in Hesse, to ambulances near 
Metz, to the hospital trains, and the hospitals on the 
steamers. 

In her own palace the Princess arranged a depot for all 
necessaries required for the sick and wounded. Later on 
another was established in the Grand Ducal palace. Besides 
the many regular nurses, a number of women and ladies 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 235 

joined together to serve out refreshments, durmg the night 
as well as the daytime, to the wounded, who were con- 
stantly passing through Darmstadt and halted at the rail- 
way station. Similar committees were, thanks to the 
Princess's own initiative, formed all over the country. 

One of the hospitals at Darmstadt, erected hy the 
English National Bed Cross Society, and supplied with 
English surgeons, received the name of ' The Alice Hospi- 
tal.' Under a special arrangement it was subsequently 
taken over by the Hessian military authorities. In this 
hospital, as in others established independently of the 
* Alice Society,' women and girls of all classes lent their aid. 

Simultaneously with the aid to the sick and wounded, 
those who had been rendered widows, orphans, or destitute 
by the war were cared for through the Princess's exertions ; 
and * The Alice Society for the Education and Employment 
of Women ' did good service. Out of this Society sprang 
the * Alice Lyceum,' which was intended for the intellectual 
culture of women of the higher classes. Lectures were to 
be delivered in it on all the interesting subjects of the day. 
This Lyceum continued for some' years to attract a more or 
less numerous audience. In the first winter of its existence 
lectures on English and German Literature, the History of 
Art, German History, and Natural History were given. 
The lady at the head of it was Eraulein Louise Biichner. 
Its subsequent failure was caused by numerous external 
difficulties, and not because the original idea for which it 
had been founded had proved otherwise than sound. 

The little new-born Prince continued to thrive, and the 



236 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

Princess made a comparatively quick recovery. The Crown 
Princess of Prussia, who was then Hving at Homburg, came 
constantly to see her sister ; and later on, in November, 
they went together to Berlin. The christening of the little 
Prince, who was to bear the name of the victorious general 
of Weissenburg and Worth, was deferred till his father's 
return. 

Prince Louis had garrisoned Foxt St. Privat on the 29th 
of October, and saw the 173,000 French prisoners and Im- 
perial Gruard pass before Prince Frederick Charles of 
Prussia. 

On the 30th the troops marched farther into the in- 
terior of the country. Troyes was reached on the 10th of 
November, a few days later Fontainebleau, and soon after 
the troops confronted the ' Army of the Loire ' at Toury. 
The battle of Orleans took place on the 3rd and 4th of 
December, and on the 5th the victorious troops made the 
entry into the town. Part of the Hessian division moved 
along the left bank of the Loire, and fought the engage- 
ment of Montlivault on the 9th of December ; the other 
part of it surprised and took possession of the Castle of 
Chambord, with five guns and many prisoners. Blois was 
soon after taken ; and from the 10th of December till the 
14th of February, 1871, the headquarters were at Orleans. 
During the expedition against General Chanzy the Hessian 
division alone guarded the line of the Loire from Gien to 
Blois. 



i87o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 237 

January 8. 

. . . My three girls have had fearful colds — Ella 
bronchitis, which Ernie also took from her, and during 
twelve hours we were in the very greatest anxiety about 
him : the difficulty of breathing and his whole state caused 
great alarm. Thank God, he is now quite convalescent ; 
but those were hours of intense suffering for me, as you 
can imagine. Weber is most attentive and most kind on 
such occasions, and in such moments one is so dependent 
on the doctor. 

. . . Some very good lectures have been given here 
lately, undertaken by a committee, which we are at the 
head of, and of which Mr. Morier is a member. They have 
been a great success hitherto, and we are going to one to- 
night by Kinkel, who in 1848 was a refugee in England, 
and is now a professor at Ziirich. 

Beloved Mama, January 16. 

We are very grateful for your kind enquiries, and 
for your letter received this morning. The violence of the 
fever and the great pain in the throat have abated, and 
dear Louis is going on favourably. The nights are not 
good as yet, and his head pains him. 

I am cut off from all intercourse with anyone in the 
house, on account of the dear children ; and I trust they 
may escape, for they still cough, particularly Ella and 
Ernie. I see Christ a when I am out walking, not otherwise, 
as she comes in contact with the part of the house where 
the children live. I read to Louis, and play to him, as my 
sitting-room opens into the bedroom. I keep the rooms 
well aired, and not hot, and at night I sleep on a sofa near 
his bed. The first two nights were anxious ones, and I 



238 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

was up all night alone with him ; but now, thank God, all 
seems to be going well. . . . 

January 20. 

I am happy to say that all is going on well. Louis 
has no more fever, but his throat is still far from well ; it 
has still the character of diphtheria, though in a mild form 
— a sort of skin and bits of blood come away when he 
coughs. He is a very good patient, and I leave him very 
little alone save when I take my walks, which in this high 
cold wind are very unpleasant. I hear Ella is still so hoarse 
and coughs, and Victoria is not quite well. Orchard writes 
to me every evening, and Dr. Weber sees them in the 
morning before he comes downstairs. 

This instant Weber tells me that Victoria has the scarlet 
fever, and I have just been up to see her. She suffers very 
much, poor child; the fever is very high and the rash 
much out. It is too late now to separate the others, and 
those who are not predisposed will escape ; but those who 
are inclined to take it have it in them by this time. 

It is a source of great anxiety. Orchard and Emma 
have never had it. . . . 

January 23. 

I was very glad to get your dear lines of the 22nd, 
full of sympathy for me during this anxious time. Victoria's 
fever has been very high ; and so much discomfort and pain, 
with a dreadful cough, which she has had for the last six weeks. 
She is very low, and cries every now and then from weak- 
ness, &c., but is a very good patient, poor little one. Ame- 
lung comes every afternoon and sits with her, and she is a 
great favourite with the children, as she knows countless 
pretty stories. 

Louis is not out of bed yet, on account of his throat, 
<fec. ; but he is much better, though in this treacherous 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 239 

climate, which is proverbially bad for throats and lungs, I 
fear that even with the greatest care there is a risk. 

The other children are as yet well, though I don't think 
Ella looking well ; she has still a cold, and is as hoarse as 
when I came home. Ernie is all right again, and looks the 
best of them all. I doubt their escaping, though it is quite 
possible, as they did not take it when Victoria did. I keep 
the rooms fresh, and continually aired. 

All the balls and parties are going on here now. Of 
course, I can neither go anywhere nor receive anyone, on 
account of the infection. It is a wearisome time indeed, 
and being so much in sick rooms and so little out begins to 
tell upon me. How kind of you to send the books ! Louis 
will be delighted. I have just read to him Eussell's book 
of Bertie and Alix's journey, and am now reading to him a 
new Life of Napoleon, by Lanfrey, which is very well 
written — more against than for Napoleon. Of course, news- 
papers and the Revue cles Deux-Mondes I read to him 
besides. . . . 

January 31. 

. . . Though dear Baby has had two bad, restless 
nights, yet I am happy to say that he has the illness 
so slightly, with so little fever or sore throat, that we are 
in great hopes it will get no worse. He is cutting his back 
teeth just now, which is the worst moment possible to be ill in. 
Victoria looks very hollow-eyed, pale and wretched, 
poor darling, but is in good spirits now. The other two 
are as yet free. The weather is most beautiful — frosty 
and clear — and I have been skating daily for the last six 
days, which does me much good, and enables me to see 
people again. This afternoon I have a large party on the 
ice at Kranichstein, and this is always a great amusement 
to the young people. . . . 



240 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

Mayence : April 10. 

. . . Yesterday evening we had to give a large party 
here, half to the military, and the other to the civil au- 
thorities and to the Burger [citizens]. It went off well; 
but the amount of speaking, as one must speak to all, and 
the effort to remember who they all were — they having 
been all presented at once — was no small exertion. . . . 

Mayence : April 15. 

. . . Lady Car. [Barrington] wrote to me how very 
grateful Mrs. Grey was to you for your great kindness 
and consideration.^ In trouble no one can have a more 
true and sympathising friend than my beloved Mama 
always is. How many hearts has she not gained by this, 
and how many a poor sufferer's burdens has she not 
lightened ! . . . 

April 25. 

Thousand thanks for your dear loving lines ! I 
kissed them a thousand times, and thank you so much for 
the quite lovely statuette— a little gem, which everyone has 
been admiring this morning. The shawl and little orna- 
ment gave me also great pleasure, and the coloured photo- 
graphs of the rooms — in short, all and anything from such 
dear hands must give pleasure. . . . 

June 25. 

... I am proud of my two girls, for they are warm- 
hearted and gifted, too, in appearance. Victoria's facility 
in learning is wonderful, and her lessons are her delight. 
Her English history and reading she has learned from me. 
I give her a lesson daily, and Bauerlein ^ can tell you how 
much she has learned. ... 

1 General Grey, Her Majesty's private secretary, had recently died. 

2 Miss Bauer, the German governess of the Eoyal family. 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 241 

I read a great deal, chiefly history and deeper works ; 
and I have one or two very learned acquamtances with 
whom to read or to have books recommended by. 

My two committees always give me no end of work, and 
I have tried to have many improvements made in the girls' 
schools of the different classes ; and some of these things, 
by dint of a deal of trouble, are prospering, and I hope in 
time to come will prove their worth. There is a great deal 
to be done, and in the hospitals I have been able to get 
some very necessary changes made. I tell you all this, 
fancying it may perhaps interest you a little bit. , . . 

July 2. 

How grieved I am for your sake, above all, and for the 
poor Clarks and ourselves, that dear kind Sir James, that 
true fatherly friend, is no more ! ! Many thanks for your 
last letter, which tells me of your last visit to him, which I 
am sure must be a great comfort to you. Oh ! how sad to 
think how many are gone ! And for you, dear Mama, this 
is quite dreadful. I can't say how I feel it for you ! 

Lord Clarendon's death grieves me much also ; and it 
was so sudden. Alice Skelmersdale wrote to me in the 
greatest distress ; he had been a most loving father. 

In the midst of life we are in death ; and in our quiet 
and solitary existence out here, where we see no one, all 
accords with sad and serious feelings, which, amidst the 
many people and worry you live in, must jar with such 
feelings and make you wish for solitude. The accounts 
you give touch me so much. Many thanks for having 
written so much about dear Sir James ; it is of great value 
to me. Louis begs me to say, how he shares the grief you 
all and we must feel at such a loss. 

What you say about the education of our girls I entirely 

R 



242 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

agree with, and I strive to bring them up totally free from 
pride of their position, which is nothing, save what their 
personal worth can make it. I read it to the governess — 
who quite enters into all my wishes on that subject — think- 
ing how good it would be for her to hear your opinion. . . . 
I feel so entirely as you do on the difference of rank, and 
how all-important it is for princes and princesses to know 
that they are nothing better or above others, save through 
their own merit ; and that they have only the double duty 
of living for others and of being an example — good and 
modest. This I hope my children will grow up to. 

July 26. 

"When I returned home last night really heartbroken, 
after having parted from my good and tenderly-loved Louis, 
I found your dear sympathising words, and I thank you 
a thousand times for them — they were a comfort and plea- 
sure to me ! I parted with dear Louis late in the evening, 
on the high road outside the village in which he was 
quartered for the night, and we looked back until nothing 
more was to be seen of each other. May the Almighty 
watch over his precious life, and bring him safe back again : 
all the pain and anxiety are forgotten and willingly borne 
if he is only left to me and to his children ! 

It is an awful time, and the provocation of a war such 
as this a crime that will have to be answered for, and for 
which there can be no justification. Everywhere troops and 
peasants are heard singing ' Die Wacht am Ehein ' and 
* Was ist des Deutschen Yaterland ? ' and there is a feeling 
of unity and standing by each other, forgetting all party 
quarrels, which makes one proud of the name of German. 
All women feel ashamed of complaining, when father, 
husband, or son goes, and so many as volunteers in the 



i87o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 243 

ranks. This war is felt to be national, and that the King 
had no other course left him to pursue with honour. 

I must be in town by nine o'clock : so much rests on me, 
and there are so many to help — the poor forsaken soldiers' 
families amongst others ! I have seen that all is ready to 
receive the wounded, and to send out help. I send out 
fourteen nurses for the Feld-Lazarethe [field-hospitals]. 

How much I feel for you now, for I know how truly you 
must feel for Germany ; and all know that every good thing 
England does for Germany, and every evil she wards off 
her, is owing to your wisdom and experience, and to your 
true and just feelings. You would, I am sure, be pleased 
to hear how universally this is recognised and appreciated. 

What would beloved Papa have thought of this war ? 
The unity of Germany, which it has brought about, would 
please him, but never the shocking means ! 

July 28. 

My darling Louis is at Worms, and Henry just in 
front of him. The enthusiam all along the Ehineis wonder- 
ful. They are all hopeful, though knowing well what 
•enormous sacrifices and struggles a victory will cost. 

I cannot leave this place until our troops should have — 
wdiich God prevent ! — to retreat, and the French come ! 
Now is the moment when a panic might overcome the 
people ; and I think it my duty to remain at my post, as 
it gives the people courage and confidence. My parents-in- 
law, w^ho have their three sons out, would feel my absence, 
and they have the first claim on me. I am in beloved 
Louis' home, and nearer to him, if I remain. Of course, 
with dear Yicky I should personally be far better off. But 
Fritz is not much exposed, and she has not that fearful 
anxiety to such an amount as I have for dear Louis, who, 
as commander of only a division, must be in the very midst 

E 2 



244 AT HOME AND AT WORK. i87o< 

of all. Day and night this thought is uppermost in my 
mind. I hope and pray for the best, and bear what is sent 
to me in common with so many others. Work is a Zer- 
streinmg [distraction], and I know dear Louis would prefer 
knowing me here for the present, and that must be the first 
consideration to determine my actions. 

Louis is well, and, now the dreadful parting is over, I 
am sure in better spirits, though work and anxiety weigh 
on him, poor love. 

The children send their love. I am pretty well ; able 
to do a great deal ; headache and sleeplessness are but 
natural at this moment. 

August 5. 

Arrived in our house this morning, I was received 
with the news of dear Fritz's first victory, and that 500- 
French prisoners had just passed through here by rail. I 
know none of ours can have been engaged, but we have not 
heard if there was an engagement elsewhere. The excite- 
ment and anxiety are quite dreadful ! Please God, my dar- 
ling is safe, and will pass safely through these dreadful 
dangers — and our many dear friends and acquaintances 
also ! I am always sending off things for the wounded from 
our stores, and continue working and collecting, and all are 
most patriotic and united. It is a solemn and great time 
we live in, and there is something grand and elevating in 
the unity of high and low throughout this great nation, 
which makes one proud of belonging to it. If only all goes 
on well ! 

I am very sleepless, and never without headache, but 
one has neither time nor wish to think of oneself. My own 
Louis' safety is the all- engrossing thought ; and I know, 
beloved Mama, that you love him truly, and share this 
anxiety with me. . . . 



iSyo AT HOME AND AT WORK. 245 

August 15. 

A few words by messenger. I have sent a letter by 
Kanne, who came here yesterday, havmg seen dear Louis 
the day before, which was the first direct news I have had 
from him. Yesterday morning he was at Faulquemont. 
Poor General von Manstein (our Chef), when he reached 
Saarbriick, found his son had been killed, and he had him 
taken out of the general grave and buried in the church- 
yard. ... No less than forty French wounded I saw 
this morning in our hospital, with some Turcos. Some 
can't speak in any known language, and the French dislike 
having these savages near them as much as we do ; their 
physiognomies are horrid, and they steal and murder as 
Handwerk [their vocation]. 

So much going about — for I go to Darmstadt at half 
past eight, and remain till half past eleven, in the morning, 
and in the afternoon from five till eight — is getting very 
fatiguing to me ; but the people have no time to come out 
here, and there is much to see to, and many to speak with. 

August 19. 

I have tried to write as often as I could, but I have 
only two hours to myselt during the whole day, through 
driving in here twice a day. -Besides the large Hiilfs- 
verein for the 'wounded and sick,' which is in our palace, 
I have daily to visit the four hospitals. There is very 
much to do ; we are so near the seat of war. This morning 
we got two large waggons ready and sent off for Pont-a- 
Mousson, where they telegraph from the battlefield of the 
16th they are in great want. My best nurses are out there ; 
the others are in three hospitals : two of them — military 
ones — were not ready or organised when 150 wounded 
arrived a week ago. I have just had a telegram from dear 



246 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

Louis ; he is well, and I hope in a day or two the least dan- 
gerously of the Hessian wounded will arrive. 

Thank God, all goes on successfully ; but, indeed, I 
hope I shall not live to see another such war — it is too 
shocking by far. We have over five hundred wounded ; as 
soon as any are better, they are sent north, and worse ones 
fill the beds — French and German intermixed. I neither 
see nor smell anything else but wounds ! and the first 
Anblick [sight], which sometimes one does not escape meet- 
ing, is very shocking ! It was very late last night before I 
got home. I was stopped at one of the hospitals, as a poor 
soldier had had sudden violent bleeding, and was all but 
dead, as the doctor could not find the artery ; but I sent 
my carriage for another surgeon, and I am happy to say he 
lives, and is recovering. 

As Louis commands the whole of our little army, a 
great many things concerning the troops come to me from 
all parts of the country, and there is much to do — much 
more than in my present state is good for me ; but it can't 
be helped. 

I drive back to Kranichstein by one daily, and am here 
again before five, so I hope you will kindly forgive my 
writing seldomer. Becker is engrossed with his duties at 
the Hiilfsverein ; there is no other gentleman with me, and 
I have the household to look after, besides. 

August 20. 

My telegram will have told you that dear Louis is 
until now safe. On the 16th, in the evening, and on the 
17th and 18th, our troops were engaged, and yesterday 
evening late I drove to the station, to speak to General 
Kehrer, our commandant, and received a telegram of the 
last victory, near Metz — a battle of nine hours, very bloody 
■ — no mention of names. The people, all excited, crowded 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 247 

round my carriage, asked for news — which of our regiments 
had been under fire ? I could tell them nothing, but 
pacified them, begging them to go to their homes — they 
should hear as soon as I had news. I drove home with an 
aching heart, and passed a dreadful night of suspense. At 
six this morning a telegram from Louis (19th) ; he and his 
two brothers safe ; our loss enormous — seventy officers 
out of one division (ours is the 25th), and Oberlieutenant 
Moller, a great favourite, his adjutant since 1866, very 
badly wounded. I went at once to Darmstadt to Louis' 
parents. They were so overcome and thankful to hear of 
the safety of their children. This continual anxiety is fear- 
ful. Now to-day all the poor wives, mothers, sisters, come 
to me for news of their relations ; it is heartrending ! We 
sent off two large waggon-loads to Pont-a-Mousson again 
with provisions, bandages and medicaments, and mattresses 
to bring back all the wounded possible by rail. I went the 
round of the hospital, to have all the convalescent Prussians 
and French able to travel sent to their homes, so as to get 
room, and now we can await the sad arrivals. Oh, if it 
would but end ! the misery of thousands is too awful ! 

Kranichstein : August 25. 

Many thanks for your dear words of the 20th. God 
knows, I have suffered much, and the load of anxiety is 
great ! But thousands of Germans bear this load in unity 
together for their Fatherland, and none murmur. Yester- 
day a poor woman came to me to ask me to help her to get 
to the battlefield, to have the body of her only son looked for 
and brought home ; and she was so resigned and patient. 

I see daily, in all classes, so much grief and suffering ; 
so many acquaintances and friends have fallen ! It is heart- 
rending ! I ought to be very proud though, and I am so, 



248 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

too, to hear from the mouths of so many wounded officers 
the loud praise of Louis' great bravery on the 16th and 
18th. Always in front, encouraging his men where the 
battle raged fiercest and the balls fell thickest. He was 
near our troops, speaking to them, directing them, and 
right and left of him they fell in masses. This lasted eight 
hours ! 

. . . Hourly almost the trains bring in fresh wounded, 
and many and shocking are the sights one sees. I only 
returned here by one, having gone to town at half-past 
eight this morning, and have still three hospitals for this 
afternoon. 

My nurses reached the battlefield in time, and were of 
great use. Louis telegraphed (yesterday's date) from 
Auboue, between Thionville and Metz, where they remain in 
bivouac. ... It is ten days since Louis has been in a 
bed or under a roof. They have no water (it is kept for 
the wounded), and little to eat, but he is very well. 

It is difficult to get news, and I can never send any that 
is not mostly ten days old ere it reaches him. 

August 26. 

... I had a telegram on the 25th from near 
Marengo, not far from Metz — all well. Louis has not been 
in bed or under a roof since the 16th, and it rains inces- 
santly. I hope they won't all be ill. He writes mostly on 
cards, on the hilt of his sword, sitting on a box. They cook 
their own dinner, and on the 16th they were going to eat 
it, when orders came to turn the French left wing and go 
into battle. That night was awful, though the day of the 
18th seems to have been the bloodiest ever known. Our 
wounded all tell me so. 

My dear parents-in-law bear up well ; but when we three 



1870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 249 

get together we pour our hearts out to each other, and then 
tears which are full of anxiety will flow. 

Kranichstein : September 2. 

I went early to Homburg, as no trains go regularly 
now. I went by road from Frankfort, and found dear 
Vicky well — her little baby very pretty and healthy-looking ; 
the other dear children also well. 

How much we had to tell each other ! How much to 
be proud of, and how many friends and acquaintances to 
mourn over ! The few hours we had together flew by in no 
time, and at Frankfort the train was unpunctual — outside 
Darmstadt it waited nearly an hour. At our palace, where 
I arrived at ten in the evening, people who were going to 
our Hauptqu&^rtier [headquarters] were waiting. I scrib- 
bled a few words to my dear Louis (the first since he re- 
ceived the Iron Cross, a great distinction) and packed a few 
things for him — tea, &c. 

September 15. 

Though I am still forbidden to use my eyes, I must 
send you a few words of thanks for your dear letter and tele- 
gram. I had a violent inflammation of eyes and throat, 
with two days strong fever and neuralgia. I am recovering 
now, but feel the effects very much ; iny eyes are still bad, 
and it has reduced my strength, which I require so much. 
Dr. Weber has just lost his sister (whom he treated in her 
confinement) from puerperal fever, and he told me he thought 
he must have given it to her, from going to and fro to his 
wounded, for Lazarethfieher [hospital fever] and that were 
so closely akin. You can fancy that in Louis' absence, 
and with the prospect of being alone, without even a married 
experienced lady in the house, this prospect frightened me. 
It is unhealthy at any time to be for one's confinement in 



250 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

a town full of hospitals with w^ounded, and Weber could 
never give me as much attention as at another time, and, 
should I be very ill, there is no authority to say anything, 
about what had best be done. On that account your tele- 
gram was a relief to me. 

September 20. 

. . . Daily I hear the muffled drums of the funeral 
of some soldier or officer being taken past my windows to 
his last resting-place. How deeply I do feel for the poor 
parents and widows ! 

My children are very well, but have absolutely no place 
where they can walk with safety from infection, for the 
mass of sick troops who get out and stop near the Exercir- 
platz [drill-ground], and the hospitals in town. The bar- 
rack at the foot of our garden contains 1,200 French 
prisoners, and many of them ill. It is much to be hoped 
that there will be soon an end to all these things. I feel 
for the Emperor and Empress very much. What un- 
grateful, vain, and untruthful people the French are ! To 
expose Paris to a siege, now their armies are beaten, which 
they think through fine s^Dceches and volunteers they can 
set right again. 

September 22. 

I received your letter through Kanne yesterday, and 
thank you many times for it ; also for the little shawls and 
sash for Ernie. Every souvenir from dear Balmoral is a 
pleasure. 

Good Dr. Hofmeister will be very welcome, and I know 
he is very clever. Mrs. Clarke is sure to get on well with 
him, and an older doctor just now, besides being an ac- 
quaintance of so many years, is to me indeed a comfort. I 
shall be able also to hear of all at home, and of so many 



i87o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 251 

things that interest me. Thousand thanks from Louis and 
from myself for your sending him ! . . . 

All long for peace — the army and the nation — and I 
think so great a national war as this need not require part 
of the foes' territory. What little is necessary for the mili- 
tary frontier they must take ; hut the union of Germany 
under one head is a far greater and finer end to such a war 
than the annexation of land ! 

. . . "War is the greatest scourge this world knows, and 
that we may not live to see it again, is my earnest prayer. 

October 1. 

. . . The children are all well, in spite of the had 
air here. I send them out driving of an afternoon, when 
I can best, having only one coachman, as ours are with 
Louis. At present they can't manage it often. . . . 

October 3. 

. . . Dr. Hofmeister is to both of us a source of 
real confidence and comfort. I don't think anyone else 
would have been more welcome to me just now, and he can 
write daily to Louis, and letters go usually in two days 
now. 

I go as little as possible to the hospital now, and, indeed, 
do nothing imprudent, you can be sure. . . . 

November 12. 

. . . The nerves of my forehead and eyes are still 
painful ; and from all sides I am again called upon to look 
after, settle, and advise concerning many things. On that 
account Dr. Weber and my mother-in-law insist on my 
leaving Darmstadt for a total change of scene, &c., for 



252 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

three weeks. I have resisted as long as I could, as I so 
much dislike going from home now (though I do not feel 
up to the work, and yet cannot keep from doing it), but I 
have finally given in, and accejDted Vicky's kind invitation 
to accompany her for three weeks to Berlin. The journey 
is long and cold, but her company when we are both alone 
is a pleasure to me, and I shall hear all news as directly 
there as here. 

... Last night I was much overcome. I had been 
sitting at the bedside of one of my poor young friends, and 
he was gasping in a too- distressing way. The father held 
his hand, the tears streaming down his cheek, the son 
trying to say ' Weine nicht. Papa ' [' Don't weep. Papa !]. 
The poor old father, so proud of his good and handsome 
child, is heartbroken, and they are touchingly united and 
full of feeling for each other. I would give anything to 
save his life ; but all efforts will, I fear, be in vain. Though 
I have seen so many lately die hard deaths, and heard and 
seen the grief of many heartbroken widows and mothers, it 
makes my heart bleed anew in each fresh case, and curse 
the wickedness of war again and again. 

Poor Baby can't be christened yet, as my parents-in-law 
think Louis would not like it during his absence, so I shall 
wait. . . . 

November 17. 

. . . How I rejoice to hear that Leopold gains so 
much strength, and that he can be about again as usual. 
Will you kindly tell him in Louis' name and mine (as I 
am still restricted in all writing and reading) that we beg 
him to stand godfather to our little son ? ^ Baby is so nice 

^ Prince Frederick William, the ' Frittie ' of these letters, born the 6th 
of the previous month of October, and who was killed by a fall from a win- 
dow on the 29th of May, 1873. 



i870 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 253 

and fat now, and thrives very well. I think you would 
admire him, his features are so pretty, and he is so pink, 
and looks so wide-awake and intelligent. Ernie, who in 
general is a rough boy, is most tender and gentle to his 
little brother, and not jealous. . . . 

Berlin : December 5. 

. . . Yesterday Fieldmarshal Wrangel came to see 
me, and his words were, ' Zu gratuliren dass Ihr Mann ein 
Held ist, und sich so superb geschlagen hat ' [' Accept my 
congratulations that your husband is a hero, and has fought, 
so magnificently ']. I am very proud of all this, but I am 
too much a woman not to long above all things to have him 
safe home again. 

. . . The evenings Yicky and I spend alone together, 
talking or writing our letters. There is so much to speak 
of and think about, of the present and the future, that it is 
to me a great comfort to be with dear Yicky. It is nearly 
five months since Louis left, and we lead such single exist- 
ences that a sister is inexpressibly dear when all closer 
intercourse is so wanting ! There is so much, beloved. 
Mama, I should like to speak to you about. . . . 

The girls are quite well, and very happy with their 
grandparents. The governess — who . in the end did not 
suit for the children — as the six months' trial is over, will 
not remain, and I am looking for another one. 



Darmstadt : December 18. 

. . . The children and I bore the journey well, and 
it was not cold. Parting from dear Yicky was a hard 
moment, and I shall feel the loneliness here so much, and 
miss my dear good Louis more than ever. The children 
are, of course, at such a time the greatest blessing. There 



^54 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

is SO much to do for them and to look after for them ; and 
mine are dear good children, and do not give over-much 
trouble. 

Letters I have again received speak of the amount of 
danger Louis has again been daily exposed to, and how his 
personal courage and daring have given the victory in many 
a fight. God protect him ! I live in fear and trembling 
for his precious life, and after I hear of his being safe 
ihrough one battle, I take it as a fresh present from the 
Almighty, and breathe freer again, though the fear soon 
•enough gets the upper hand again. 

I have asked Uncle Louis to allow his Berichte [reports] 
to be copied for you. Louis has Kohler and another foot- 
man with him, that is all — and two coachmen. He rides at 
all battles the horse you gave him in 1866, which he rode 
during that campaign, and which is quite invaluable. It 
would interest Colonel Maude to know this, as he bought the 
horse. My nursery is in very good order, and they are all 
invaluable in their way. 

How is good Dr. Hofmeister's family? Please say 
many kind things to him from me, and tell him that the 
Baby is getting so nice and fat, and is so healthy in spite of 
all troubles. Here is a XDhotograph of him, but not at all 
flattered. Please give Dr. Hofmeister one of them ! 

I have this instant received a letter from Louis dated the 
11th ! I will have an extract made for you. I think it 
might interest Bertie to hear something of Louis, whom he 
can be proud to have as a brother-in-law, for I hear his 
praises continually. He has been throughout the war, as 
every other General has been, without a carriage, &c., like 
other Princes, and has gained the respect and devotion of 
Ms troops. 



t87o at home and AT WORK. 255 

Darmstadt : December 19. 

. . I hope for this last time, if we are spared and 
live to come over together once more, we may have tlie joy 
of showing their dear Grandmama the whole little band. 
Of com^se, no thoughts of plans can be entertained, and I 
know, after so very long a separation, Louis would not be 
willing again to part from his children. 

My wounded were so pleased to see me again yesterday. 
Alas ! many in bed and so ill still ! My two in the house 
are much better, and the one who during six weeks lay 
at death's door is recovering. I have seldom experienced 
so great a satisfaction as seeing this young man recover, 
and the doctors say I have been the means of saving his life. 

The joy of the old parents will be very great. Since I 
left, there are new widows and fresh parents bereft of only 
children ; it is a most painful duty to go to them. But I 
know the comfort of symj^athy is the only one in deep 
grief. 

December 23. 

My warmest and tenderest thanks for your dear and 
loving letter, with so many expressions of a mother's love 
and sympathy, which do my heart good, now that I feel so 
lonely and anxious. It seems too great a-happiness to think 
of, that of our being allowed to come with our children to 
you, and to Scotland ; and you know the smallest corner is 
enough for us, who are by no means particular — neither are 
our people. If I write this to Louis, it will be something 
for him to look forward to, to cheer him and reward him 
after so hard a time, which he bears so bravely and un- 
complainingly. This morning I have been at the Alice 
Hospital, which is prospering. I have been taking my gifts 
for Christmas to one hospital after another. Your two 
•capes have delighted the poor sufferers, and the one wounded 



256 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1870 

for the second time is very bad, alas ! My wounded officer 
in the house is recovering, next to a miracle. For the two 
wounded in the house, the children, our household, and the 
children of our servants at the war, I arrange Christmas trees. 

We grown-up ones of the family have given up keeping 
Christmas for ourselves. We have too much to do for 
others, and my parents-in-law, like me, feel the absence of 
the dear ones who are always here for Christmas. 

I am superintending Victoria and Ella's letters to you, 
which have not achieved the perfection wished for. As they 
are to be quite their own, I hope you will excuse their ar- 
riving a little later. 

Darmstadt : December 27. 

. . . Louis telegraphed on Christmas day from 
Orleans, where I had sent Christa's brother with a box of 
eatables and AvooUen things for his people, and a tiny 
Christmas tree with little lights for the whole party. Louis 
has sent me a photograph of himself and staff done at 
Orleans, and I have sent for a copy for you, as it is very 
good. On Christmas day it was five months since Louis 
and the troops left. The charming stockings you sent, I 
have sent off in part to-day to Louis to give to his Stabs- 
wache [Staff-guard] ; the other things I divide among the 
wounded and sick. 

My children are all well. The little one sits up, and, 
though not very fat, is round and firm, with rosy cheeks and 
the brightest eyes possible. He is very healthy and strong, 
and in fact the prettiest of all my babies. The three girls 
are so grown, particularly the two eldest, you would scarcely 
know them. They are both very tall for their age. Vic- 
toria is the height of Vicky's Charlotte, and Ella not much 
less. They are thin, and a change of air would be very 
beneficial. 



1871 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 257 



187I 

The christening of the Kttle Prince took place quietly on 
the 11th of February, the child receiving the names of 
Frederick William. The sponsors were the Empress of 
Germany, the Crown Princess, Crown Prince, Prince 
Frederick Charles of Prussia, and Princess Alice's own 
brother, Prince Leopold. The ceremony took place in the 
absence of Prince Louis, who had been unable to get leave, 
although an armistice had been concluded on the 28th of 
January, which it was hoped would be the forerunner of 
peace. 

On the 18th of March the King of Prussia, who had 
meanwhile become Emperor of Germany, made his entry 
into Frankfort-on-the-Main, together with his son and his 
whole staff. The Grand Duke of Hesse and the members 
of his family received him there. 

Prince Louis at last obtained ten days' leave of absence, 
and arrived at Darmstadt on the 21st of March. The 
parents of the Prince had gone to meet him and his brother 
William a few stations beyond Darmstadt, whilst the 
Princess Alice awaited her husband at the Darmstadt rail- 
way station. The joy and thankfulness of that meeting 



258 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

can well be imagined. Darmstadt was gaily decorated in 
honour of the Prince's return ; and he met with an en- 
thusiastic reception. 

Prince and Princess Louis were present at Berlin on 
the 16th of June at the triumphal entry of the German 
troops on the conclusion of the peace. On the 21st of June 
the Prince entered Darmstadt at the head of his Hessian 
division. In spite of pouring rain, the town presented a 
most festive appearance. Later on the Prince and Princess 
and their children went to Seeheim (near Darmstadt), 
where her brother, Prince Alfred, visited them on his return 
from his three years' voyage round the world. The Prince 
and Princess of Wales also paid their sister a visit ; and 
Prince and Princess Louis saw much of their Eussian 
relations, who were then staying at Jugenheim. 

In August the family went to the seaside at Blanken- 
berghe, where they spent three weeks, and afterwards went 
to London. They arrived at Balmoral on the 13th of 
September, on a visit to the Queen, whom they found 
suffering severely. They stayed with her till the 1st of 
November, but the children, who had caught the whoop- 
ing cough, were sent to London sooner. Whilst at 
Sandringham, to which the Prince and Princess went on 
their way back from Balmoral, in the middle of Novem- 
ber, the Prince of Wales was taken ill. Prince Louis 
had to return to Darmstadt, but the Princess remained 
in England, and shared the anxieties of the very danger- 
ous and protracted illness of her brother, whom she 
helped to nurse. It was the same terrible fever (typhoid) 



1871 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 259 

which, ten years before, had ended the Hfe of the beloved 
Prince Consort, and it was so severe that the worst was 
feared. Prince Louis returned to England on the very day 
when the danger was greatest, but he also was able to share 
in the joy and thankfulness when improvement set in upon 
the 14th of December. He remained over Christmas, and 
returned to Darmstadt before the year was at an end. 



Darmstadt : January 7. 

... In England people are, I fear, becoming un- 
just towards the German troops. Such a long and bloody 
war must demoralise the best army ; and I only say, in such 
a position how would the French have behaved? Many 
French officers say the same, and how greatly they respect 
the German soldier. Hundreds of French officers and two 
generals have broken their word of honour, and run away. 
I doubt, whether one in the German army would do such a 
thing. The French peasants, often women, murder our 
soldiers in their beds, and the wounded they have used too 
horribly many a time. Is it a wonder, then, when the men 
let a feeling of revenge lay hold of them ? A guerilla war 
is always horrid, and no words can say how all Germans 
feel and deplore the present phase of the war ! I hope and 
trust that the end may not be far distant. 

One of the poor wounded soldiers whom I gave your 
cape to is dying, and the poor boy won't part from it for 
an instant, and holds it tight round himself. 

Louis continues at Orleans, where they have entrenched 
themselves, and await with impatience news from Paris 
which must be of great influence for the continuation or 
ending of the war. 



s 2 



26o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

My days fly past. The children take much of my time 
— so, too, the house, my two wounded in the house, and the 
hospitals, to one of which I go daily. 

Darmstadt : January 14. 

. . . How kind of you to work something for Louis ; 
he will wear it with such pleasure. Prince Frederick Carl's 
recent victories ^ and the fresh hosts of prisoners must help 
to bring the war to an end. Germany does not wish to go 
on, but the French won't see that they are beaten, and 
they will have to accept the visitors, who must increase in 
nu.mbers the longer the French refuse to accede to the 
German demands. 

I am so low, so deeply grieved for the misery entailed 
on both sides, and feel for the French so much. Our troops 
do not pillage in the way described in English papers. 1 
have read far worse accounts of what the French soldiers 
and francs-tireiirs do in their French villages. 

The poor soldier who had your cape is dead. He died 
with it round him. I was with him in the afternoon, and 
he had tears in his eyes, and was very low. In the night 
he died. This morning I was at the station to give things 
to the wounded and sick who came through — a sorry sight. 
This afternoon I am going to a poor soldier's widow who 
has just had twins. The distress on all sides is great. I 
help where I can. Becker tears his hair. The two wounded 
in the house cost so much. So does everything else ; but as 
long as I can, through sparing on myself, help others, I 
must do it — though I have, as things are now, nothing left. 

I will get a head of Ernest done for your bracelet, and 
another one, so that you may have something else of him. 
He is a magnificent boy, but so huge — such limbs ! The 

* On the 10th, 11th, and 12th of January, 1871, before Le Mans. 



1 8; I AT HOME AND AT WORK. 261 

Baby is not at all small, but near Ernest all the others look 
small. 

He can't speak properly yet, but he understands every- 
thing, and has a wonderful ear for music. He sings the 
' Guten Kameraden ' without a fault in the time, and is 
passionately fond of dancing, which he also does in time. 

Irene is growing fast also, but the two eldest are quite 
big girls ; it makes me feel old when I see them growing 
up to me so fast. Victoria has a very enquiring mind, 
and is studious, and learns easily and well. Since the 
middle of December I have been without a governess. 

To-morrow I go to Mayence to see poor Woldemar ^ 
Holstein's sister. He is very bad, to the grief of all 
Mayence, and of all who know him. 

Darmstadt : January 16. 

... It is pouring and thawing — most dismal — and 
my thoughts are with our dear ones and our poor troops 
far away. Becker lost his brother-in-law, who leaves a 
wife (Matilda Becker's sister) and four little children. 
Each day fresh losses. 

My little Baby ought to be christened, but Louis and 
my parents-in-law always hope that the end of hostilities is 
near, and that Louis can then get leave. Baby's blue eyes 
are beginning to turn, and look almost as if they would be 
brown. Should dear Grandmama's and Grandpapa's eyes 
come up again amongst some of the grandchildren, how 
nice it would be ! 

I have but little news to give. I go about to the poor 
soldiers' widows and wives — no end of them, with new-born 
babies, in the greatest distress. 

- Prince Henry Charles Woldemar of Schleswig-Holstein, Governor of 
the fortress of Mayence. He died on the 20th of January, 1871. 



262 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

Yesterday I saw the mother of the poor young soldier 
who died. She keeps your cape as a precious relic, as it 
had given him such great pleasure. 

January 30. 

Your charming photograph and kind letter arrived 
this morning — thousand thanks for both ! How like the 
photograph, and how pleasing ! I am so glad to have it. 

The armistice and capitulation of Paris are great events. 
The people are out of their minds with joy — flags all over 
the town, and the streets crowded. 

I forgot to say in my last letter how grieved I was about 
Beaty Durham's ^ death. It is quite shocking ! and those 
numbers of children in so short a time. I earnestly hope 
none of us run such a chance, for on the whole our children 
have not been so close together. My last came sooner than 
I wished, and is smaller than his brother, but I hope now 
for a long rest. I have Baby fed, besides, so as not to try 
my strength. He is very healthy and strong, and is more 
like Victoria and my brothers and sisters than my other 
children, and his eyes remind me of Uncle Ernest's, and 
seem turning brown, which would be very pretty, as he is 
very fair otherwise. 

Your pretty photograph is standing before me, and 
makes me quite absent. I catch myself continually staring 
at it, instead of writing my letters. 

Darmstadt : February 2. 

... All the many French here are pleased at the 
capitulation of Paris, and hope that peace is certain. Louis 
writes to me that the inhabitants of Orleans were equally 
pleased, and consider the war over. I earnestly pray it 
may be so. How greatly relieved and thankful all Germany 
would be ! 

^ Daughter of tlie Duke of Abercorn. 



1871 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 263 

Louis telegraphed to-day. He has no leave as yet, 
though he hopes for it. Now that there is a prospect of 
peace, and that the fighting is momentarily over, I feel 
quite a collapse of my nerves, after the strain that has been 
on them for six whole months. I can scarcely imagine 
what it will be when my beloved Louis is at home again ; 
it seems too great a joy ! Best and quiet together are what 
I long for ; and I fear in the first weeks he will have so 
much to do, and there will be much going on. 

He speaks with the greatest hope of going to Scotland 
this autumn ; and, if we are spared to do so, it will be such 
a rest, and do good to our healths, which must feel the 
wear and tear sooner or later. 

February 11. 

Many thanks for your last kind letter. I thought 
so much of you yesterday, spending the dear 10th for the 
first time again at Windsor. To-day our little son is to be 
christened, but only the family will be present, and my 
ladies and the two wounded gentlemen, who can get about 
on crutches now. When I think that the one owes his life 
to being here, it always gives me pleasure. 

Two nights ago I was awakened by a dreadful noise, the 
whole house and my bed rocking from it ; and twice again, 
though less violently. It was an earthquake, and I think 
too unpleasant. It frightens one so ; the doors and windows 
rattle and shake. To-night two slight shocks, a^nd one 
during the day yesterday. 

How I shall miss dear Louis to-day ! The seven months 
will be round ere we meet, I fear, and he has never seen 
his dear little boy. It always makes me sad to look at 
him, though now I have every reason to hope — please God 
— that I shall have the joy of seeing Louis come home, and 
of placing his baby in his arms. My heart is full, as you 



264 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

can fancy, and, much as I long to see Louis, I almost dread 
the moment — the emotion will be so great, and the long 
pent-up feelings will find vent. 

I pray that peace may be restored, and that I may not 
live to see such a war again, or to see my sons have to go to 
it. 

I will tell Christa to write an account to you of the 
christening, for Leopold to see also, as he will be god- 
father. Frederic William Augustus (after the Empress) 
Victor (victory) Louis will be his names. Fritz and Vicky, 
the Empress and Fritz Carl, are godparents. 

Darmstadt : February 14. 

My bad eyes must again excuse the shortness of 
these lines, which are to thank you many times for your 
last dear letter. 

Christa will have sent you the account of little Fritz's 
christening, which was a sad day for me, and will have 
been so for dear Louis likewise. We have added dear Leo- 
pold's name to the others, as his sad life, and the anxiety 
his health has so often caused us all, endear him particu- 
larly, and we hoped it would give him pleasure, dear boy. 

The elections in the provinces are all for peace, and 
only the towns for war and a republic. This week is one 
of intense and anxious expectation; though the greater 
portion believe in the restoration of peace, yet we have no 
security for it. 

March 6. 

. . . Now dear Louise's marriage draws near, how 
much you must feel it ! I think so much of her, of 
your and of my dear home. I trust she will be very happy, 
which with such an amiable young man she must be. 

Louis has received the Order ' Pour le merite,' which I 



1871 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 265 

^m so glad of for him. The Emperor telegraphed the 
announcement to my mother-m-law, with many compli- 
mentary words about her sons. To have the three sons safe 
is something to be thankful for, for they were much and 
continually exposed. I know nothing of Louis' coming. 
The troops march home, and it will take at least six weeks. 
I hope so much that he may have leave for a fortnight, and 
then return to the troops, to lead them home. 

To-night are the peace illuminations here, which will be 
very pretty. Our house will also be illuminated, and I take 
the two eldest girls out with me to-night to see it all. It is 
■a thing for them never to forget, this great and glorious, 
though too horrid, war. 

March 13. 

I know nothing as yet of Louis' return. I fear I 
must wait a few weeks longer. On Wednesday the Emperor, 
Fritz, and some of the Princes pass through Frankfort, and 
I am going there with my parents-in-law to see them. 

The Paris news is not very edifying, and I fear France 
has not seen the worst yet, for there seems to be a fearful 
state of anarchy there. 

I have no news to give, save that Frittie has his first 
tooth. He is between Victoria and Irene, but not like 
Ernie — not near so big, which is really not necessary. I 
think he is the sort of baby you admire. I go on looking 
after my hospitals, and now the trains, full of Landwehr 
returning home cheering and singing, begin to pass. Now 
good-bye, darling Mama. I am in thought daily with you 
•during these days, and only wish it had been in my power to 
be of any use or comfort to you just now. 

Darmstadt : April 8. 

. . . We had the pleasure of catching a glimpse of 
Louise and Lome on their way through, but their stay was 



266 AT HOME AND AT WORK. iSyt 

too short to be able to say more than a few words. They 
can scarcely help passing through here, as they can't go- 
through France, on their way back ; and if you would allow 
them quite incognito on their way back to pass a day here, 
it would give both Louise and me the greatest pleasure, and 
entail no other visits. 

The Emperor, who kindly gave Louis leave, prolonged 
it till Monday, when he leaves, and for how long is quite 
undecided. If I could only go with him ! Marie of Saxony 
has joined George : so has Carola [the Crown Princess of 
Saxony] her husband ; but our division, which is near Chau- 
mont, is in too bad and close quarters to admit of my living 
there. 

Should Louis have to remain very long, I still hope to 
rejoin him — I don't care about the little discomfort. 

The new governess, Frl. Kitz, comes on Thursday. 
She is not young, but pleasing-looking— said to be very 
amiable, and a good governess ; has been for eighteen years, 
in England, first with Lady Palk, and then for ten years, 
with Herr Kleinwart — a rich German banker in London — 
where she brought up the two daughters. 

Darmstadt : April 13. 

. . . Ernie's kilt was sent him by Mr. Mitchell.* 
He admired Ernie so much at Berlin, that he said he- 
would send him a Scotch dress, and I could not refuse. It 
is rather small as it is, and I hope that you will still give 
him one, as from his Grandmama it would be doubly 
valuable. 

Louis has arrived safely at his destination — Donjeux ; 
and we both feel the separation very much after having, 
had the happiness of being together again. 

* The late Mr. John Mitchell, the librarian of Old Bond Street. 



iSyi AT HOME AND AT WORK. 267 

The Paris battles are too dreadful, and the end seems 
some way off yet. 

May 27. 

My thoughts cannot leave unfortunate Paris ! What 
horrors, and enacted so close by in the centre of the 
civilised world ! It seems incredible ; and what a lesson 
for those who wish to learn by it ! 

Darmstadt : June 8. 

Louise and Lome are just gone, and it rains and 
blows, and is dreadful. Their visit was so pleasant, so 
f/emilthlich, and I think Louise looks well and happy. She 
had much to tell of their journey, which seems to have 
been very interesting. I could show them almost nothing, 
as the weather was so bad. We three went yesterday 
evening to my parents-in-law, who were most kind to them, 
as they always are to all my relations. 

Their short stay was a great great pleasure to me, so 
cut off from home as I have been since three long years. 

Louis will be here in a few days, and we go together to 
Berlin for four days ; Louis insists on my accompanying 
him. On the 24th the entry of the troops will be here. 

Seeheim : June 14. 

... I am so glad that the poor Emperor and 
Empress are so kindly treated. They deserve to be well 
used by England, for the Emperor did so much to bring 
France and England together. How shamefully the French 
treat them, and speak of them, is not to be told ; for the 
French consider themselves blameless, and always betrayed 
by others, whom they had made almost their gods of, as long 
as all went well. 

Dear Frittie is getting better — principally his looks, but 
the illness is not overcome yet. I have been so anxious, 



^68 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 187 1 

about him. The country here is more beautiful than ever, 
and country air and flowers are a great enjoyment. Every 
little walk is up and down hill, little brooks, rocks, small 
.green valleys, fine woods, &c. I have not lived here since 
1865, when Ella was a baby. The children are beside 
themselves with pleasure at the pretty country and the 
scrambling walks, but above all at the wild flowers, in 
which they are getting quite learned. I find them in a 
book for them, and even Ernie knows some names, and 
never calls them wrong. All my children are great lovers 
of nature, and I develop this as much as I can. It makes 
life so rich, and they can never feel dull anywhere, if they 
know to seek and find around them the thousand beauties 
and wonders of nature. They are very happy and con- 
tented, and always see, the less people have the less they 
want, and the greater is the enjoyment of that which they 
have. I bring my children up as simply and with as few- 
wants as I can, and, above all, teach them to help them- 
selves and others, so as to become independent. 

Darmstadt : June 20. 

I write at the dinner-table, whilst the children finish 
dinner, as I have not found a spare moment yet, and the 
rest of my afternoon is taken up with the preparations for 
to-morrow. 

The Empress Augusta has just been here for three 
hours, quite dead-tired with all she went through. 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter received before 
our departure from Potsdam ! Our journey was dreadful. 
We left in the evening, and were to have been here at 
11 A.M., and through the irregularity of the trains we 
only got here at four in the afternoon. I am quite done 
up. The fatigues at Berlin were incessant. Anything 



i87i AT HOME AND AT WORK. 269 

more grand, more im^^osing or touching and erhebend 
[elevating] than the entry of the troops in BerHn I never 
saw. It was a wonderful sight to drive for three quarters 
of an hour through rows of French cannon ! The decora- 
tions were so artistic, so handsome, and the enthusiasm of 
the dense crowds quite enormous. I am glad to have been 
there : it will be a thing to recollect. The old Emperor, 
surrounded by the many princes and by his great generals, 
looked so noble riding at the head of his glorious troops. 
Deputations of all the German troops were there. 

It was very hot, and we had to drive every day to 
Berlin, and back in the evening. 

Alas ! it is rainy here, and the town is so beautifully 
decorated ; three large triumphal arches, and the houses 
covered with garlands and flags. 

I found the dear children well, though rather pale from 
the heat. 

Louis left again this morning, but after to-morrow 
remains here for good, which will indeed be a pleasure after 
such endless separations. 

Darmstadt : June 27. 

. . . To-day Aunt Marie of Kussia and her children 
were here. Aunt Marie looks thinner than ever, but well ; 
and Marie dear and nice, with such a kind fresh face, so 
simple and girlish. She gives her brothers music lessons 
during the journey, which she is very proud of. She is 
very fond of children, and of a quiet country life — that is 
the ideal she looks for. The Emperor of Eussia comes 
here on the 5th, to join Aunt Marie at Petersthal. Louis' 
work is incessant — the selling off of horses, the changing 
garrisons of the regiments, the new formation of our 
division, causes almost more work than the Mohilmachung 
[mobilisation]. The entry was very beautiful : the decora- 



270 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

tions of the town most tasteful ; not a house or the smallest 
street which was not covered with garlands, flags, and em- 
blems. There were large groups of the captured guns, and 
the names of the battles on shields around. Unfortunately, 
it poured nearly all the time, and we were quite drenched. 
I had the five children in my carriage, and Irene gave 
wreaths to her godfathers of the cavalry brigade. Two days 
ago we gave a large military dinner, and have several 
soirees of that sort to give before we can go into the country, 
which I am longing for. We- shall probably go to Seeheim, 
as the summer seems too damp for Kranichstein. 

The middle of August we shall go to Blankenberghe, near 
Ostend, as the doctors wish sea-bathing for Louis, and sea 
air for me and for some of the children, which is very 
necessary to set us up before going to Scotland. We want 
to remain one or two days and one night in London. We 
require a few things, which make a stay necessary. If we 
might be at Balmoral on the 10th, as Louis's birthday is on 
the 12th, would that suit you ? 

Please let me know in time if you think our plans good. 
This will enable us to settle when to go to Blankenberghe, 
as we can't be there longer than three weeks. 

Hoiv 1 look forward to seeing you again, and to come 
home once more ! It is so kind of you to let us bring the 
children. The arrangement of the rooms will do perfectly, 
and we don't care how we are put up, and above all things 
don't wish to be in the way. 

The weather is horrid — rain and wind incessantly — after 
having been tremendously hot. These sudden changes 
upset everyone, and Frittie has had a very slight return 
of his illness. 

August 13. 

. . . The newest news is, that my nice excellent 
Marie Grancy is going to marry. She will be such a loss 



1871 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 271 

to me. These last years she has been so useful, so ami- 
•able, and I shall miss her dreadfully. She is going to marry 
Major von Hesse, who was with us in England the last time, 
and the wedding is to be in September. As he has been 
ill in consequence of the war, they will go to Italy and spend 
the winter there. 

We leave at eight to-morrow morning, reach Cologne at 
one o'clock, and wait there till ten in the evening, when we 
continue our journey and reach Blankenberghe at eight 
next morning. Will you kindly send a gentleman to Graves- 
end, who can remain with us in London, as we are quite 
alone ? 

Uncle George, Aunt Cambridge, and Mary dined with us 
at Frankfort two days ago. Mary I had not seen for three 
years ; she was looking very handsome. 

Blankenberghe : August 17. 

Only two words to say that we arrived safe and well 
here yesterday after a very hot journey. The hotel is on 
the beach, where we sit all day ; there are no walks or any- 
thing save the beach, and no trees. Our rooms are very 
small and not very clean ; but the heavenly sea air and the 
wind refresh one, and the sands are very long. One can 
ride on donkeys, which enchants young and old children. 
Everyone bathes together, and one has to take a little run 
before the waves cover one. We bathed -with the three girls 
this morning, but I felt quite shy, for all the people sit 
round and look on, and there are great numbers of people 
here. Our children play about with others and dig in the 
sand. Frittie sleeps so well since he has been here ; his 
colour is beginning to return. 

We have one small sitting-room, which is our dining- 
room, and Louis's dressing-room. 



272 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

I was SO sad and upset at taking leave of my dear Marie 
Grancy the other day ; a kind true friend and companion 
has she been to me these nine years, and during the war 
she was quite invaluable to me. I hope she will be as happy 
as she deserves to be. 

Buckingham Palace : September 10. 

The pleasure of seeing your dear handwriting again 
has been so great ! Thank God that you are going on well. 
I do feel so much for you, and for all you have had to suffer 
in every way ! I trust entire quiet and rest of mind and 
body, and any little attention that I may be able to offer 
for your comfort, will make the autumn of real benefit for 
your health. How I do look forward to seeing you again, 
I can't say. ... 

We propose leaving the evening of the 13th. Bertie 
and Uncle George have arranged for our going to Aldershot 
on Monday and Tuesday, which interests Louis above all 
things, and I fancied this arrangement would suit you best. 

The journey has quite cured Frittie, without any medi- 
cine, and the heat is over. 

... I took Victoria and Ella to the Exhibition, and 
what enchanted Ella most was a policeman, who was, as 
she said, ' so very kind ' in keeping the crowd off. It re- 
minded me of ' Susy Pusy,' which dear Papa used to tease 
me with as a child. 

We dined and lunched with Bertie, who had only just 
arrived, and is gone again. Dear Arthur of course I have 
not seen. 

Bram's Hill Park Camp, Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Division : 

September 12. 

In Bertie's tent I write these few lines to thank you 
in Louis's name and my own a thousand times for your 
dear kind letter. Every loving word is so precious to us, 



iSyi AT HOME AND AT WORK. 273 

and the presents you so kindly gave Louis enchanted him. 
The pin, unfortunately, did not arrive. 

How I regret each time I hear you speak of your illness ! 
I have been so anxious about you. Uncle Louis and my 
j)arents-in-law, in their telegram of to-day, enquire after 
you. 

We have had two such interesting days; the country 
too lovely, each day in a quite different part. We accom- 
panied Uncle George, and in this way have seen the two 
Divisions, and through sleeping here will be enabled to see 
the third Division to-morrow before returning to town. 

I saw dear Arthur yesterday. He rode with me all the 
time, and to-day we met him marching with his company. 
How I have enjoyed seeing your splendid troops again, I 
can't tell you ; but I shall reserve all news till we meet. 

Louis thanks you again and again for your kindness, 
and only regrets not having seen you himself, but is very 
grateful that we were allowed to stay a few days at Bucking- 
ham Palace, through which we were enabled to come here, 
which to him as a soldier is of the very greatest interest. 
Bertie is full of his work, and I think it interests him im- 
mensely. He has charming officers about him, to help and 
show him what to do. To our great disappointment we did 
not see the 42nd Highlanders, the ' Black Watch,' to-day ; 
but yesterday we saw the Argyleshire 91st Highlanders, who 
gave Louise the present. Bertie lent me a charming little 
• horse, but the ground is dreadful, and not having ridden 
for so long, and being on horseback so many hours, makes 
me feel quite stiff. 

Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland : October 19. 

I wish your telegram had brought me better news 
of you. I really can't bear to think of you suffering, and 
so much alone. I feel it quite wrong to have left you, and 

T 



274 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1871 

my thoughts'and wishes are continually with you, and dis- 
tract my attention from all I see here. I can't tell you how 
much I feel for you at being so helpless. It is such a trial 
to anyone so active as yourself; but your trial must be 
drawing to a close, and you will be rewarded in the end, I 
am sure, by feeling perhaps even better and stronger than 
you did before all your troubles. 

I was nearly sick in the train, which is the slowest I 
was ever in in my life, and was unable to go to dinner ; 
but a long walk by the sea this morning has quite set me 
up in spite of the extraordinary w^armth. 

Sandringliam : November 9. 

It is the first time since eleven years that I have- 
spent Bertie's birthday with him, and though we are only 
three of our own family together, still that is better than 
nothing, and makes it seem more like birthday. Bertie and 
Alix are so kind, and give us so warm a welcome, showing 
how they like having us, that it feels quite home. Indeed 
I pray earnestly that God's blessing may rest on him, and 
that he may be guided to do what is wise and right, so that 
he may tide safely through the anxious times that are before 
him, and in which we now live. They are both charming 
hosts, and all the party suit well together. The Westmin- 
sters and Brownlows are here ; Lady B. is so very hand- 
some. 

We joined the shooting party for luncheon, and the last 
beats out to-day and yesterday ; and the weather is beautiful,, 
though cold — a very bracing air, like Scotland. 



1872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 275 



1872 

The Princess did not return to Darmstadt with her children 
till the end of January, passing through Brussels on her 
way. Prince Louis was invested with the Order of the 
Black Eagle at the ' Kronungs- und Ordensfest ' at Berlin. 
Many of their relations visited the Prince and Princess 
during the early part of the year. 

On the 6th of June another daughter was born, and 
she was christened on the 1st of July, the anniversary of 
her parents' wedding-day. Her names were Victoria Alix 
Helena Louise Beatrice. The sponsors were the Prince 
and Princess of Wales, the Cesarewitch and Cesarewna, 
Princess Beatrice, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the 
Landgravine of Hesse. 

In August the Crown Prince of Prussia paid his first 
visit to Darmstadt since the war, and met with a most 
loyal and hearty reception. 

In consequence of the death of the Princess Hohenlohe- 
Langenburg, the beloved half-sister of the Queen, in Sep- 
tember, the Prince and Princess went to Baden to be pre- 
sent at the last sad ceremony, and to see their beloved aunt 
borne to her rest. 

T 2 



276 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

A fortnight later the general assembly of the various 
German societies for charitable purposes held its first meet- 
ing at Darmstadt. 

All these societies, including the ' Ladies' Union ' 
founded by Princess Alice, had, in 1869, joined themselves 
together to form one great body. During the year 1872 the 
Princess added another Institution to those she had already 
called into existence — viz. an Orphan Asylum. A special 
committee of ladies were at the head of it, to watch over it, 
and also, if necessary, to advise and help those poor 
orphans who had been boarded out in private families at 
the expense of the parish. This institution has already 
proved most successful, thanks to the readiness with which 
the authorities met all Princess Alice's wishes. 

The general assembly at Darmstadt — the * Frauentag ' 
or * Ladies' Diet,' as it was called — distinguished itself, not 
only by the extremely discreet and practical manner in 
which it carried out all. the many different branches of 
business which it had undertaken, but also by the pre- 
sence of several remarkable persons interested in its aims 
and objects, such as Madame Marie Simon, the founder 
and head of the Institution for Training Nurses at Dresden, 
and three English ladies. Miss Mary Carpenter, Miss 
Florence Hill, and Miss Winkw^orth. 

The subjects treated of at the general assembly were 
the admission of women to the Post Office and Telegraph 
Service ; the results of the working of F. Frobel's princi- 
ples for the further employment of women ; of ' Kindergar- 
ten ' ; the finding of proper localities for the exhibition and 



1872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 277 

sale of women's handiwork of all kinds ; nursing as a 
branch of female industry ; the provision of better schools 
for girls, and what had been done, and was doing, in Eng- 
land for female education and at similar institutions in 
England. 

The Princess followed all the discussions with the keenest 
interest. She received all the members of the different 
societies at her own palace, and for each she had a kind 
and encouraging word. 

None of those present will ever forget the sympathy 
and encouragement they met with from the Princess. She 
not only advised and suggested things, but herself took 
the initiative in any important question which came under 
her notice. The general assembly did great credit to itself 
in the eyes of Germany, and, indeed, of other countries 
as well, and its members were encouraged to still further 
exertions. 

The Princess herself was full of new plans for further 
good works. At the beginning of November Prince and 
Princess Louis were present at the unveiling of a monu- 
ment erected to the memory of the Hessian soldiers who 
fell in the war of 1870. The Princess herself placed some 
wreaths at its base. The 14th of December, the anniver- 
sary of the Prince Consort's death, the Princess spent with 
her sister the Crown Princess of Prussia, who had come 
to Darmstadt from Carlsruhe for the purpose. 



278 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

Darmstadt : January 21. 

. . . Louis returns to-morrow from Berlin. He was 
the first to be invested by the Emperor, and has met with 
great kindness. He was very glad to have been there with 
dear Arthur, who seems to please everyone. 

February 5. 

... It is a great pleasure to have dear Arthur here. 
He is so amiable, civil, and nice, and takes interest in all 
he sees, and is so pleasant to have in the house. His visit 
will be very short, as he gives up two days to go to Baden. 

We gave small suppers on two evenings for Arthur, 
and yesterday evening a celebrated most excellent violinist 
played quite as well as Joachim : a friend of his, and a pupil 
of Spohr's. This afternoon he is going to play some of 
Bach's celebrated sonatas with and to me. Arthur enjoys 
music very much, and keeps up his playing. 

There is a dance at Uncle Alexander's to-night, on 
Wednesday a Court ball, and on Friday one at my parents- 
in-law. I can't stand the heat at all of an evening, and 
the rooms are very hot. Louis, who has an awful cold, 
took Arthur to see the barracks, as all military things give 
him pleasure. 

It is heavenly sunny weather, having been quite dark 

and foggy all day yesterday. 

April 20. 

. . . Louis has been in Upper Hesse the last four days 
shooting Auerhdhne, but as yet unsuccessfully. My mother- 
in-law is very grateful for your kind message, and is better, 
though weak. She has had a narrow escape from fever. 

Frittie has again endless bruises, with lumps, as Leo 
used to have ; but he is taking iron, as Sir William [Jenner] 
wished, and is strong and rosy and well otherwise. I trust 
he may outgrow this. 



1872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 279 



June 17. 

Many thanks for your dear letter and kind wishes 
for the birth of our Baby ^ — a nice Httle thing, hke Ella, 
only smaller and ^Yith finer features, though the nose pro- 
mises to be long. . . . 

Kind Dr. Hofmeister was most attentive ; and of course 
having him was far pleasanter than not, and we owe you 
^•reat thanks for having sent him. Mrs. Clarke has been 
all one could wish. 

Louis wrote as soon as he could, but this last week he 
has only been home just before his dinner, and was so tired 
that he invariably fell asleep. He has gone out at six, 
returning at twelve, and has had to be out before four in 
the afternoon, returning at eight. He is away again to- 
day. Until the 15th of September his duty will be impor- 
tant, and he has all the office work besides. It is double 
this year to what it usually is, as all people and things are 
new since the war. 

How sad the loss of those two poor children is,^ and the 
sweet little ' bairnie ' of three ! The unfortunate mother to 
lose two in so dreadful a way ! I am sure it touched 
Beatrice much to see the poor little one ; and in a child 
death so often loses everything that is painful. 

We think of calling our little girl 'Alix' (Alice they 
pronounce too dreadfully in German) ' Helena Louise Bea- 
trice,' and, if Beatrice may, we would much like to have 
her as godmother. 

' Princess Alix, born on the 6th of June. 

2 Two children who were carried away by a ' spate ' while playing at 
Monaltrie Burn, near Balmoral (11th of June, 1872), and swept into the 
river Dee and drowned. See More Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the 
JEighlands, p. 156 et seq. 



28o AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

Darmstadt : June 24. 

. . . We both felt so truly for you when we heard of 
dear Dr. Macleod's death, knowmg what a kind and valued 
friend of yours he was, and how fate seems to take one 
friend after another, and before age can claim its right. 
He indeed deserves his rest, for he did so much good in his 
life ! 

I feel rather weaker than usual this time, and sitting 
and walking, though only a few steps, tries me a good deal. 
I was out for half an hour yesterday, and I think the air 
will do me good. 

Louis left at half -past five this morning, and will be 
back by seven, I hope, this evening ; to-morrow the same. 

I will add Vicky's name to Baby's others, as you propose ; 
and ' Alix ' we gave for ' Alice,' as they murder my name 
here : ' Aliice ' they pronounce it, so we thought ' Alix ' 
could not so easily be spoilt. 

Uncle Alexander is coming back shortly, and says the 
Empress is not to return to Eussia this winter, and will be 
sent to Italy for the whole winter. 

The heat has been quite dreadful ; there is a little air 
to-day, though. 

August 14. 

. . . Baby is like Ella, only smaller features, and 
still darker eyes with very black lashes, and reddish-brown 
hair. She is a sweet, merry little person, always laughing,, 
with a deep dimple in one cheek just like Ernie. 

We are going to Frankfort to-day to give Uncle George 
and Fritz Strelitz a luncheon in our Palais there. Helene 
Keuter comes to us for a month to-morrow as lady. 

I hope your Edinburgh visit will go off well. You have 
never lived in Holyrood since 1861, have you? 

How I shall think of you at dear Balmoral, and this. 



i872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 281 

time capable of enjoying it — not like last time, when you 
had to suffer so much, and were unable to do anything. 
It quite spoiled our visit to see you an invalid. Kemember 
me to all old friends there — to Brown's kind old mother, 
and any who ask after us. 

I shall think of you on dear Grandmama's birthday. 
She is never forgotten by any of us, and lives on as a 
dearly-cherished memory of all that was good and loving, 
and so kind. My children have her picture in their room, 
and I often tell them of her. 

Kranichstein : August 20. 

I am very grateful for your telegrams from Edin- 
burgh, and for Flora [MacDonald's] letter. It interests 
me so much to know what you did there, and I am very 
glad all went off so well. The people will have been too de- 
lighted to have had you in their midst again, and I am sure 
you enjoyed the beauty of your fine northern capital anew 
after not having seen it for so long a time. Beatrice seems.. 
delighted with what she saw. I recollect those many in- 
teresting and beautiful spots so well.^ 

The 18th was the anniversary of the dreadful battle of 
Graveiotte, which cost so many lives, to our division espe- 
cially. We drove into town to the military church, which 
was full of officers and men, at half-past seven in the morn- 
ing, and thought much of the friends and acquaintances in 
their distant graves, and of the desolate homes, until that- 
day so bright. My heart felt too full when we were singing 
Ein' feste Burg, and I had my husband at my side, whom 
the Almighty had graciously spared to my children and 
myself. Gratitude seems barely enough to express the 
intense depth of what I feel when I think of that time, and 

3 For an account of this visit see More Leaves from a Journal, pp. 164 
et scq. 



282 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

how again and again I long to give all and all to my good 
dear Louis and to our children, for he is all that is good 
and true and pure. 

. . . The children were much distressed at the sad fate 
of my poor little bullfinch, who piped beautifully. Louis 
had caught an owl and put it in a wooden sort of cage in 
the room where my bird was. In the night it broke the 
bars and got loose and tore the bullfinch's tail out, and the 
p>oor little thing died in consequence. 

Of our quiet country life there is little to tell. We are 
a good deal out always with our little people, their pets — 
dogs, cats, ponies, donkeys ; it is rather like a menagerie. 

Schloss Kraniclistein : September 17. 

... On Sunday the Moriers with their children 
were with us for the day. He looked so white and reduced, 
walks on crutches, but retains, as always, his spirits and 
his lively interest for all things. He is a kind, warm- 
hearted man, to whom we are both attached. Alice feels 
the loss of her poor sister deeply, and says her father has 
heen so cut up about it. 

"We took them to races close by, and feared w^e should be 
upset, the ground being very heavy and uneven, and I was 
in terror for Mr. Morier, who was in my carriage. 

On the 9th there is a large meeting here of the different 
associations existing throughout Germany for the bettering 
of women's education and social position (of the middle 
class especially with regard to trade). Some English ladies 
are coming, some Swiss and Dutch. It will last four days, 
and be very fatiguing. The programme I arranged with 
my two committees here and the gentlemen at Berlin, and 
they wanted to force me to preside ; but for so large an 
assemblage — to me nearly all strangers — I positively re- 



i872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 283 

fused. I do that in my own Associations, but not where 
there are so many strangers, who all want to talk, and all 
to cross purposes. It is difficult enough to keep one's own 
people in order when they disagree. I hope and trust I 
have prevented all exaggerated and unfeminine views being 
brought up, which to me are dreadful. These Associations, 
if not reasonably led, tend too easily to the ridiculous. 
My Associations take a great deal of my time and thought, 
and require a good amount of study. I hojDe and trust 
that what w^e are doing here is the right thing. We have 
already had some satisfactory results in the class of the 
workwomen, and in the reform of the schools ; but there 
are many open qusstions yet, which I hope this meeting, 
with others who work in the same field, may help us to 
solve. 

Will you look through the programme ? It would please 
me so much, if I thought you took a little interest in my 
endeavours here in a very small way to follow in a slight 
degree part of dear Papa's great w^orks for the good of 
others. 

The meeting at Berlin seems to have gone off very well, 
and has pleased all Germans, w^ho hope for a consolidation 
of peace — so necessary to them. 

We have an entire change of Ministry at Darmstadt, 
the first since 1848, which fills all with hopes for an im- 
j)rovement in all the affairs of the Grand Duchy. 



Kranichstein : September 25. 

, . , All sympathise with you, and feel what a loss 
to you darling Aunt "^ must be — how great the gap in your 

* The Queen's half-sister, Feodore, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenbuvg, 
who died on the 23rd of September, 1872, at Baden-Baden. 



284 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

life, how painful the absence of that sympathy and love 
which united her life and yours so closely. 

Darling, kind Mama, I feel so acutely for you, that my 
thoughts are incessantly with you, and my prayers for 
comfort and support to be granted you in the heavy trial 
are warm indeed. You have borne so many hard losses 
with courage and resignation, that for darling Aunt's sake 
you will do so again, and knowing her at rest and peace 
will in time reconcile you to the loss — all the more as her 
passing from this world to another was so touchingly peace- 
ful. Dear Augusta [Stanley] wrote to me, which was a 
great consolation, and we intend going to Baden to pay our 
last token of respect and love. 

Darmstadt : October 13. 

... A few words about our doings here may be of 
interest to you. The meeting went off well, was very large, 
the subjects discussed to the purpose and important, and 
not one word of the emancipated political side of the ques- 
tion was touched upon by anyone. Schools (those of the 
lower, middle, and higher classes) for girls were the prin- 
cipal theme ; the employment of women for post and tele- 
graph offices, &c. ; the improvement necessary in the educa- 
tion of nursery-maids, and the knowledge of mothers in the 
treatment of little children ; the question of nurses and 
nursing institutes. 

The committees of the fifteen Associations met Wednesday 
afternoon, and in the evening thirteen of the members came 
to us to supper. 

The public meeting on the following day lasted from 
nine to two with a small interruption ; a committee meeting 
in the afternoon ; and that evening all the members and 
guests came to us — nearly fifty in number. The following 
day the meetings lasted even longer, and the English ladies 



1872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 285 

were kind enough to speak — only think, old Miss Carpenter 
on all relating to women's work in England (she is our 
guest here). Her account of the Queen's Institute at 
Dublin was most interesting. Miss Hill (also our guest), 
about the boarding-out system for orphans. Miss C. Wink- 
worth, about higher education in England. She mentioned 
also the new institution to which Louise now belongs, and 
is a member of it herself. The ladies all spoke very well ; 
the German ones remarkably so. 

There was a good deal of ^vork to finish afterwards, 
and a good many members to see. They came from all 
parts of Germany — many kind-hearted, noble, self-denying 
women. The presence of the English ladies — above all, of 
one such as Miss Carpenter, who has done such good works 
for the reformation of convicts — greatly enhanced the im- 
portance of the meeting, and her great experience has been 
of value to us all. She means still to give a lecture on India 
and the state of the native schools there, before leaving us. 

I have still so much work in hand, that I fear my letter is 
hurried and ill- written, but I hope you will kindly excuse this. 

To-morrow I am taking Miss Carpenter to all our differ- 
ent schools, that she may see how the different systems 
in use work. Some are good, but none particularly so ; 
there is much to improve. 

Louis is gone to Mayence to-day for the inauguration 
of the Memorial which the town has erected to the memory 
of dear excellent Waldemar Holstein, for so many years its 
beloved Governor. 

Darmstadt : October 24. 

You must indeed miss dear Aunt much, and feel 
your thoughts drawn to her, whose precious intercourse was 
such a solace and comfort to you. It is nice for you to 
have Louise a little to yourself. ... 



286 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

You ask, if my mother-in-law talks with me about the 
different woman's work in which I am interested. Of 
course she does. We are so intimate together, that even 
where we differ in opinion we yet talk of everything freely, 
and her opinion is of the greatest value to me. She has 
ever been a most kind, true, and loving mother, whom I re- 
spect and love more and more. She was much pleased and 
interested in the success of the meeting, but is of course as 
averse as myself to all extreme views on such subjects. 

I have joined to my Nursing Institute an Association 
for watching over the orphans who are boarded out by the 
State into families, where some poor children are unhappy 
and ill-used. The use of such meetings as this one was 
consists mainly in the interchange of experience made in 
the different branches in other places, which it is impossible 
to carry on by correspondence. 

The schools are entirely different throughout Germany 
— good and indifferent ; and those here do not count among 
the best, as everything, through the long misrule of the 
late Government, is not what it ought to be. 

Uncle Louis has a new Ministry now, which gives every- 
one cause for hope. 

Darmstadt : November 3. 

... The weather is awful here ; the wind sounds in 
the house as if one were at sea. 

This article was sent me the other day, and though I 
half fear seeming unhescheiden [overbold], yet, as you spoke 
of your feelings about women's meetings the other day, I 
venture to send it. 

Ella is writing to you herself to thank you for the lovely 
bracelet, which gave me as much pleasure as it did her. 
To think that she is already eight ! She is handsomer 
than she was, and a dear child. . . . They all give me 



i872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 287 

l^leasure, dear children, though of course they have as many 
faults as others ; but they are truthful and contented, and 
very affectionate. Having them much with me, watching 
and guiding their education— which, through our quiet and 
regular life, is possible — I am able to know and understand 
their different characters, for not one is like the other. 

Darmstadt : November 12. 

. . . We have the same weather here which you 
seem to have, which for our long journey was not pleasant. 
We took nearly twelve hours going, and as much return- 
ing from Metz. For the inauguration itself the weather 
held up. The roads were dreadful, and the wide plateau 
looked dreary and sad — dotted all over with graves, like an 
enormous churchyard. 

The Memorial is a dead lion in bronze, on a plain 
pedestal, bearing an inscription on black marble in front, 
and at the back all the names. Deputations of officers and 
men were present, besides the generals, &c., from Metz. 
The clergyman of the division read the prayers, preached a 
short and touching sermon, and the band played a chorale. 
Louis spoke a few words, ending with the usual ' Hoch ' for 
the Emperor and Grand Duke. I then laid some wreaths 
at the foot of the Memorial from Louis's parents and 
ourselves, and we drove back to Metz across the differ- 
ent battlefields. The villages are all built up again, and 
reinhabited, so that few traces of the dreadful struggle 
remain. 

. . . The Empress of Kussia wrote the other day that 
the alliance with Marie ^ of Mecklenburg is quite impossible, 

^ Daughter of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Subsequently 
she did marry the Grand Duke Vladimir of Eussia, as she was allowed not 
to change her religion. This was the first time such a thing was permitted 
in Eussia. 



288 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 1872 

as she won't change her reHgion. I hope all other German 
Princesses will follow her example. 

Darmstadt : December 12. 

For the 14th I write a few words. From year to 
year they can but express the same ; the grief at the loss of 
such a father, such a man, grows with me, and leaves a 
gap and a want that nothing on earth can ever fill up. 

The deep, intense sympathy for what you, my poor dear 
Mama, went through then and since, in consequence of 
your bereavement, remains as vivid as ever. God heard 
our prayers, and sustained you, and through the healing 
hand of time softened your grief, and retained you for us, 
who were too young and too numerous to stand alone ! 

That our good sweet Alix should have been spared this 
terrible grief, when this time last year it seemed so immi- 
nent, fills my heart with gratitude for her dear sake, as for 
yours, his children, and ours. That time is as indelibly 
fixed on my memory as that of 1861, when the witnessing 
of your grief rent my heart so deeply. The 14th will now 
be a day of mixed recollections and feelings to us — a day 
hallowed in our family, when one great spirit ended his 
work on earth — though his work can never die, and genera- 
tions will grow up and call his name blessed — and when 
another was left to fulfil his duty and mission, God grant, 
for the welfare of his own family and of thousands ! ^ 

I have not time to write to dearest Bertie and Alix to- 
day ; and as I love to think of them with you on the 14th, 
so I would ask you to let them share these lines full of 
sympathy for them, letting a remembrance of me, who 
suffered with them, mmgle with your united prayers and 
thanks on this solemn day ! 

« Wlio would have thought that only six years later the Princess her- 
self was to rejoin her father on the same day ? 



1872 AT HOME AND AT WORK. 289 

My little Fritz is at length better, but white and thin, 
in consequence of his illness. 

Christmas Day. 

Your dear presents gave me so much pleasure ; I 
thank you again and again for them. The precious sou- 
venir of dear Aunt, and my Ernie's picture delight me. I 
assure you, nothing has given me more pleasure this 
Christmas. 

Let me also thank you, in Louis' and the children's 
names (meanwhile, until they do so themselves), for your 
kind gifts to them. It makes us all so happy and grateful, 
to be always so kindly remembered. 

The boys were well enough to enjoy Christmas, though 
rather pale and pulled — above all, sweet Ernie. 

We gave all our servants presents — the whole household 
and stable — under the Christmas-tree, which we made for 
the children ; and when the tree is divided, the children of 
all our servants come and share it with ours. It keeps the 
household as a family, which is so important. We have 
fifty people to give to ! 

Dear Beatrice's wishes (cards) pleased the children very 
much, but Frittie lamented for a letter from Auntie ' for 
Frittie.' He talks quite well now. 

On Saturday we shall go for the day to Yicky. I don't 
like leaving the boys for longer yet. I am so glad Yicky 
gave such a flattering account of Baby. She is quite the 
personification of her nickname * Sunny ' — much like Ella, 
but a smaller head, and livelier, with Ernie's dimple and 
expression. 



u 



Trials 
1873-1877 

'May the hour of trial and grief bring its blessing with 
it, and not have come in vain ! The day passes so quickly, 
when one can do good and make others happy — and one 
leaves always so much undone ' (August 2nd, 1873) 



TJ 2 



iS73 

This year began brightly and happily to the Prince and 
Princess, for little Prince Fritz, whose health had often 
given rise to serious anxiety, seemed stronger and better. 
In March the Princess at last was able to carry out her 
long- cherished wish to visit Italy. She travelled incognita, 
accompanied by Miss Hardinge and Hofrath Kuland. The 
journey was made in a comparatively short time, but was 
thoroughly successful. The Princess travelled from Darm- 
stadt by Mu.nich and the Brenner Pass to Florence, where 
she spent three days, and from there went straight on to 
Bome. 

During her stay in the ' eternal city ' she employed her 
mornings in visiting the many beautiful picture-galleries, 
the churches, and the ruins of ancient Kome. In the 
afternoons she made longer excursions into the neighbour- 
hood, visiting the more distant churches in the Campagna, 
as well as the celebrated villas of Albani, Ludovisi, Bor- 
ghese, &c. She used to spend her evenings in talking over 
and discussing all the objects of interest she had seen 
during the day. The Princess with her wonderful power 
of observation was able to do a large amount of sightseeing 



294 TRIALS. 1873 

in a comparatively short time. She was accompanied by 
Monsignore Howard (now Cardinal Howard) over St. 
Peter's ; and he showed her many interesting parts of this 
glorious edifice, which in general are never shown to Pro- 
testants. At the ' Farnesina,' the private palace of Comit 
Bermudez, she was received and conducted over it by the 
Count himself. The ruins of Eome which interested the 
Princess the most were those which dated from the time of 
the first Christians, as far back as the early mediaeval period, 
the catacombs of * San Callisto,' and the curious church of 
' San Clemente.' Amongst the ceremonies of the ' Holy 
Week ' the Princess was greatly struck by ' The Lamen- 
tations,' whilst others made her ask, as all Protestants do, 
how the pure simple Christian religion could possibly be so 
misrepresented. After attending all the grand ceremonies 
of the Church of Eome, the quiet service at the German 
Embassy made a most happy and peaceful impression on 
the Princess. She visited the Pope Pius IX., who received 
her with his usual winning kindness.^ She also went to 
the Quirinal to pay her respects to King Victor Emanuel, 
and to the Crown Princess of Italy, Princess Margherita. 
The two Princesses drove together through Eome on the 
occasion of the celebration of its ' birthday,' and witnessed 
the illumination of the Capitol, Forum, and Colosseum. 

On the 13th of April the Princess made a brief excursion 
to Sorrento by way of Naples, where her father-in-law and 
the Empress of Eussia were staying. On the 24th of April 

^ He said to the Princess, ' La benediction d'un vieillard fait toujours 
du bien.' 



i873 TRIALS. 295 

.she left with her suite for Florence, travelling by Wcay of 
Perugia and Lake Thrasimene, through the valley of the 
Arno. As she had but little time, she was only able to visit 
the galleries of the Uffizi and Pitti Palaces, the tombs of the 
Medici in San Lorenzo, the Convent of St. Mark, the Cathe- 
dral, the Church of Santa Croce, and the ' Museo Nazionale.' 

The Princess left Italy on the 28th of April, reaching 
Darmstadt on the 2nd of May. 

Her journey had been one of thorough enjoyment, and she 
felt deeply grateful that she had at last been able to see with 
her own eyes those glorious works of art, which from her 
childhood she had only been able to picture dimly to herself. 

The joy of her reunion with her family was, alas ! not to 
be of long duration. Prince Louis had been obliged to 
leave Darmstadt early on the morning of the 29th of May 
to inspect the troops in Upper Hesse, leaving the Princess 
still in bed, exhausted from the great fatigue of her Italian 
journey. The two little Princes came to wish her ' good 
morning,' and by her wish were left in her room by the 
nurse. The children soon began to play, as was their wont, 
runnmg in and out of the room into the adjacent one, and 
looking from one window and then from another. Prince 
Ernest having run into the next room, the Princess followed 
him, leaving Prince Fritz in her bedroom. During her 
almost momentary absence he fell out of the window on to 
the stone terrace below. Whether he had leaned too far 
out of it and overbalanced himself, or whether in running 
fast through the room to the window to look for his brother 
lie could not stop himself and fell from it, no one actually 



296 TRIALS. 1873 

knows. He was picked up insensible, and died a few hours 
afterwards in the arms of his distracted mother. Effusion 
of blood on the brain caused by the fall ended that young 
and bright little life. The loss of this unusually-gifted 
and beloved child was a blow to the mother from which 
she never recovered. Her married life had till then been 
such a happy one, that this first sorrow came on her with 
redoubled force. 

On the evening of Whitsunday, June 1, the beloved 
little Prince was taken to his last resting-place, at the 
Eosenhohe (the Grand Ducal Mausoleum), his parents 
and sisters and brother being present. It was very long 
before the Princess at all recovered from the terrible shock 
of the death of her child, though the sympathy shown to 
her by her family and friends — indeed, by all — greatly com- 
forted and helped her. 

In the autumn the Prince and Princess went to Heiden 
in Appenzell for a little change. From there they paid a 
visit to the Prince of HohenzoUern at his castle of the 
Weinburg. At the end of November they went to England 
with their three youngest children, and remained there till 
the 23rd of December, when they returned to Darmstadt. 



Darmstadt : January 12. 

. . . We were both much shocked to hear of the 
death of the Emperor Napoleon, and I must say grieved ; 
personally he was so amiable, and she is much to be pitied. 
That he should die an exile in England, as Louis Philippe 



i873 TRIALS. 297 

did, is most striking. In England the sympathy shown 
must touch the poor Empress, and, as I telegraphed, we 
should be so grateful to you, if you would kindly be the 
medium through which both of us would like to express to 
her how much we feel for her. How proud you must ever 
be, in feeling that your country is the one always able to 
offer a home and hospitality for those driven away from 
their own countries ! England is before all others in that ; 
and its warm sympathy for those who are in misfortune is 
such a generous feeling. 

Fanny Baillie's Victoria is such a nice girl. She comes 
to ours every Saturday, and is not above playing at dolls 
with them, though she is so much older. There are two 
rather nice little English girls, daughters of the chaplain 
here, who come to them. 

February 1. 

If anyone will feel with us, I know you will do so 
most. Since three days, with an interruption of one day, 
poor Frittie has been bleeding incessantly from a slight 
cut on his ear, which was nearly healed. Since yester- 
day evening we cannot stop it. All the usual remedies 
were used, but as yet unavailing. Just now the place has 
been touched again with caustic, and tightly bound, 
after we had with great trouble got rid of the quantity 
of dried blood from his hair, ear, neck, &c. He is hor- 
rified at the sight of so much blood, but shows great 
strength as yet in spite of so great a loss. He is of course 
very irritable, and, as he must not scream, one has to do 
whatever he wishes, which will spoil him dreadfully. I own 
I was much upset when I saw that he had this ten- 
dency to bleed, and the anxiety for the future, even if he 
gets well over this, will remain for years to come. All have 
their trials, one or another, and, please God, we shall bear 



298 TRIALS. 1873 

whatever is sent without complaining. To see one's own 
child suffer is for a mother a great trial. With what plea- 
sure one would change places with the little one, and bear 
its pain ! 

February 6. 

... In the summer Fritz had a violent attack of 
dysentery, which was so prevalent at Darmstadt, and oif 
and on for two months it continued, until Scotland stopped 
it ; and this illness made him sensitive and delicate. 

. . . "What has caused him such great suffering has 
been that, what with the use of caustic, the tight bandag- 
ing and the iron, a quantity of small gatherings formed on 
his cheek and neck, causing such an amount of pain that 
he could not remain in bed or anywhere quiet for the two 
first days and nights. Now they are drying off, the itching 
is such that he don't know what to do with himself, and we 
have the greatest difficulty in keeping him from rubbing or 
scratching himself. The want of sleep through pain, &c., 
has excited him very much, so that he has been very diffi- 
cult to manage. The bandages of course cannot be removed, 
and great care will be taken when they are removed, lest 
bleeding should recommence. He has been out twice a day 
as usual all along, and his skin never quite lost its pinkness 
and mottled appearance ; all of which are signs that he has 
good blood and to spare, else he would look worse and have 
shown weakness, which after all he did not. . . 

He speaks well for his age, and is, alas ! very wild, so that' 
it will be impossible to keep him from having accidents. ... 

... I have been playing some lovel}^ things (very diffi- 
cult) of Chopin lately, which I know you would admire. 

Darmstadt : February 19. 

My best thanks for your dear letter ! That I forgot 
to thank you at once for dear Grandmama's very beautiful 



i873 TRIALS. 299 

print 2 came from my having the hthograph of that picture 
in my room always before me, and, though the print far 
surpasses it, I am so fond of the Hthograph, that I forgot 
the print at the moment I was writing to you. Before that 
dear picture, the painting of which I recollect so well, my 
children often sit, and I tell them of her who was and ever 
will be so inexpressibly dear to us all. In the schoolroom, 
in my sitting-room, in the nursery, there is with the pic- 
tures of you and dear Papa always one of dear Grandmama, 
and, in my room and the schoolroom, the Duke of Kent also. 

My sitting-room has only prints and lithographs, all 
Winterhalters, of the family : you and Papa, your receiving 
the Sacrament at the Coronation, Eaphael's Disputa and 
Belle Jardiniere, and the lovely little engraving of yourself 
from Winterhalter's picture in Papa's room at Windsor.^ 

Vicky is coming here on Wednesday. The Grand Duke 
of Weimar has kindly allowed Mr. Euland to join us as 
cicerone : which for galleries, &c., is very necessary, and we 
take no courier. Kome is our first halting-place in Italy, 
and for years it has been my dream and wish to be in that 
wonderful city, where the glorious monuments of antiquity 
and of the Middle Ages carry one back to those marvellous 
times. 

I am learning Italian, and studying the history and art 
necessary to enable me, in the short time we have, to see and 
understand the finest and most important monuments. I 
am so entirely absorbed and interested in these studies just 
now, that I have not much time for other things. My 
father-in-law, perhaps Princess Charles too, will be with 

2 A private plate, engraved for the Queen by the late Mr. Francis Holl 
from a picture by Winterhalter. 

3 Also engraved by the late Mr. Francis Holl for the Queen from a pic- 
ture given by Her Majesty to the Prince Consort on the 26th of August, 
1843. 



300 TRIALS. 1873 

Aunt Marie of Eussia at Sorrento then. William will pro- 
bably join us at Eome : he is quite a connoisseur in art, and 
a good historian, quite at home in Eome, about which he 
raves. I must say that I look forward immensely to this 
journey ; it opens a whole new life to one. . . . 

Kanne has made all arrangements for us at Eome. We 
shall leave here about the 18th of March. 

Eome, Hotel d'AUemagne : March 27. 

. . . We left the dear children well, but very sorry 
at parting. The two days at Munich were most interesting. 
The National Museum in its way surpasses any I have ever 
seen, and in originals is richer even than South Kensing- 
ton. Aunt Mariechen was very kind and dear ; the 
Moriers very amiable hosts, and we met some interesting 
people there. Two hours before we left, after eight in the 
evening, Ludwig and Otto ^ came to us and remained some 
time. 

The Brenner, over which we came, was covered with 
snow — most beautiful scenery, like St. Moritz in the Enga- 
dine. The journey was very fatiguing. We had a morn- 
ing for Bologna, and had to wait three hours at Florence 
for the night train — time enough to drive round and in 
the town, which is most lovely. What trees, mountains, 
colours ! then the fine buildings ! 

The following morning at six we reached Eome. The 
sun was bright, the distance blue — the grand ruins dark 
and sharp against the sky, cypresses, stone pines, large cork 
oaks, making up such a beautiful picture. Every day I 
admire the scenery more and more; every little bit of 
architecture, broken or whole, with a glimpse of the Cam- 

* The King of Bavaria and his brother, first cousins of Prince Louis of 
Hesse. 



i873 TRIALS. 301 

pagna, a picturesque dirty peasant and a dark tree close by, 
is a picture in itself which one would like to frame and hang 
up in one's room. It is too, too beautiful ! To tell you all 
we have seen and are seeing would tire you. Bertie and 
Arthur's descriptions, too, so lately have told you the same. 

The Via Appia, the grand old road lined with ruins of 
splendid tombs, leading from Albano through the Cam- 
pagna to Eome, along which St. Paul went, and the great 
kings and emperors made their triumphal entries, is a fit 
one to lead to such a city as Eome, which ruled the world. 

The antique monuments, those of the Middle Ages, are 
so magnificent and interesting that as yet I don't know 
which to mention first or admire most ! 

Our incognito did not last long (though even now we 
maintain it), for the Crown Princess heard of us and came 
to see us, as did the Crown Prince, and we had to go to the 
Quirinal, a morning visit without entouracje. 

Palm Sunday, Eome : April 6. 

... We saw the beginning of Mass and blessing of 
the palms in St. Peter's this morning, with a procession 
and beautiful singing. Whilst the procession, with part 
of the choristers, go outside the church, some remain 
within, and they respond to each other, which produces a 
very striking effect. In spite of the bad style inside of 
St. Peter's, as a whole it produces a marvellous effect 
through its wonderful size and richness of decoration. 

I saw two convents yesterday : the Sepolte Vive, which 
Bertie and Alix saw, and where the nuns asked much after 
him, and said that he was molto amabile ; and another 
equally strict one, but not austere, where the Superior told 
me that Aunt Feodore with Princess Hohenzollern had 
paid them a visit. Monsignore Howard was the only gen- 



302 TRIALS. 1873 

tleman with me and the ladies, as they never see any men. 
Their idea is, that they spend the whole of theh^ life in con- 
templation and prayer, so as to pray for those who cannot 
pray for themselves. 

The museums of the Vatican and of the Capitol, with 
their enormous collection of antiques, are very fine. The 
celebrated Venus, Apollo Belvedere, the Torso (which 
Michael Angelo admired so much, and was taken to touch 
when he could no more see it), the wounded Gladiator, &c., 
are there. The Sistine Chapel, with Michael Angelo' s 
frescoes, which are certainly the most marvellous pieces of 
painting and conception, is very dark, and the frescoes are 
suffering much from the smoke, dust, &c. Eaphael's 
Stanze are far better preserved, and lighter than I had 
expected, and of such beauty ! 

I thought so often and so much of dear Papa, when I 
saw the originals of all the pictures he so much admired 
and took such interest in. How this alone fascinates me I 
cannot tell you. In these galleries and churches there is 
only too much to be seen, besides the antique ruins, &c. 
You would be terrified to see how full our day is from before 
nine. Mr. Euland is an excellent cicerone for pictures and 
sculptures. William is with us here since last Sunday. 

We are going to the Yilla Ludovisi this afternoon. The 
gardens of the Villa Doria Pamfili are most beautiful : the 
terraces there remind me of Osborne. I can see in many 
things where dear Papa got his ideas from for Osborne and 
for his decorations, which Professor Gruner understood so 
well to carry out. 

Many thanks for your having told Lady Churchill to 
send me an account of your opening of the Park.^ I am 

^ The opening of Victoria Park, in the East End of London, on the 2nd 
of ApriL 



i873 TRIALS. 303 

glad all went off so well, and that you were not the worse 
for it. 

I have quite refused going to Naples. We shall arrange 
probably to go for two days to Castellamare (one hour 
from Naples) ; from thence to Sorrento and Pompeii, and 
return here. As yet it is not hot here at all. 

Eome : April 9. 

Let me thank you for your letter written on our 
dear Victoria's birthda}^ I have never been away from her on 
her birthday before, and though we see such fine interesting 
things, yet I feel very homesick for the dear children always. 
In three weeks or less I shall see them all again. I look 
forward to the time with perfect impatience, as I am so 
rarely separated from them, and we live so much together. 
Every other day Fraulein Kitz and Orchard write, so that I 
have news daily. 

Louis' father wrote to me to-day, as his sister asks us 
to her house at Sorrento for one or two nights for the 12th ; 
but as I was rather deranged from a sick headache yester- 
day, I shall wait a day before we decide. It is wet and quite 
cold to-day. 

We visited San Clemente two days ago, and Father 
Mulooly took us through the three churches — one under 
the other. The antique one was full of water, and we 
walked about on rickety planks, each with a lighted taper, 
as it is quite dark there. It is most curious, and the old 
paintings on the walls telling the legend of St. Clement 
are wonderfully full of expression and feeling for the time 
they were done. 

Eome : April 19. 

. . . Our visit to Sorrento went off well. We got 
there at one on Monday morning for luncheon. The sun 



304 TRIALS. 1873 

had given me a dreadful headache, which ended in sickness, 
so that I could not leave my room. Marie sat with me, 
and was very dear and kind. The next day, she and my 
Aunt, who seems tired and dispirited, had bad headaches. 
We went wdth mj father-in-law and some of the ladies and 
gentlemen on the following afternoon in the Empress's 
yacht to Capri, close by, to see the blue grotto. 

The Bay of Naples, particularly seen from Sorrento, is 
most lovely — like a beautiful dream — the colours, the out- 
lines are so perfect. 

We breakfasted together in the mornings with Aunt and 
Marie, and on Tuesday we took our leave. 

We shall go to Florence the 23rd (the first station home- 
wards) ; remain there three or four days ; one night at Verona, 
and then home. It is a fatiguing journey, and we have 
so often had people in the carriage, which is very unplea- 
sant — some very rude English, going to Sorrento ; they did 
not know us. 

^Florence : April 25. 

Your kind wishes I received early this morning. 
Thousand thanks for them, and for the presents which I 
shall find on getting home ! 

I shall be so glad to have a large photograph of your- 
self. Thirty years ! Good-bye, youth ! but I feel quite as 
old as I am, though the time has flown by so fast. I would 
it had flown as well as it has fast ! I look back to the past 
with great gratitude to the Almighty for innumerable bles- 
sings, and pray our life may continue so blest. I have a 
very bad headache — neuralgia ; I have it continually, and 
the journey is very long and tiring. Darling Ernie wanted 
to buy something for my birthday, and he thought a china 
■doll with a bath would be the best. I am glad Victoria 



i873 TRIALS. 305 

remembered to write to Beatrice as I told her ; they are 
very fond of their Amitie. 

Florence seems a beautiful town, and the situation 
amongst the hills, over which the suburbs spread, is most 
picturesque. 

I enclose the last telegrams from Sorrento. It is ficvre 
clu imys which Marie had. We remained at Eome a day 
longer on account of poor Alfred. He is very patient and 
hopeful. 

The King, whom we saw at the races, sends you his 
respects, and was delighted with the cream-coloured horse 
you sent him. Many thanks for the flowers. I enclose 
two from here. The account of your giving away the 
colours ^ I had already read with interest. 

We must go to the Grand Duchess Marie to-morrow ; 
Monday to Verona, twelve hours ; next morning to Munich, 
and that night to Darmstadt. How I look forward to see 
the dear children ! It seems to me an age since we parted. 

Darmstadt : June 9. 

Tender thanks for your last letter, and for every 
word of sympathy ! The weary days drag on, and bring 
much pain at times, though there are moments of comfort, 
and even consolation. 

The horror of my Darling's sudden death ^ at times tor- 
ments me too much, particularly waking of a morning; 
but when I think he is at rest, free from the sorrow we are 
suffering, and from every evil to come, I feel quite resigned. 
He was such a bright child. It seems so quiet next door ; 

** To the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, at Parkhurst, on the 
16th of April. 

' The allusion is to the death of the little prince Frederick, who was 
killed on the 29th of the previous month by a fall from a window. 



3o6 TRIALS. 1873 

I miss the little feet, the coming to me, for we lived so 
much together, and Ernie feels so lost, poor love. 

We were at the Mausoleum with all the children yester- 
day evening. It is a quiet spot amidst trees and flowers, 
with a lovely view towards the hills and plain. He loved 
flowers so much. I can't see one along the roadside without 
wishing to pick it for him. 

There is a young sculptor from Stuttgart, who was 
accidentally here, and, meeting the children, had asked 
permission to make medallions of them. The last after- 
noon sweet Frittie had sat to him, and he is now making a 
lovely bust of him, which is getting very like. 

On Wednesday my mother-in-law, with her three sons, 
goes to Berlin ; on Thursday Uncle Adalbert ^ will be buried 
in the Dom. 

We shan't be able to go to Seeheim until Saturday. 

How too hind of j^ou to have asked us to Osborne ! 
How a rest and home air would have revived me — and the 
pleasure of seeing you again ; but Louis cannot leave until 
after his birthday. If he did get leave, it would so throw 
him out before he has to command ; and, having been ab- 
sent this spring, he feels it an impossibility, and this I am 
sure you will understand. I could not leave him or the 
children. Our circle has grown smaller, and drawn us all 
the more together with a dread of parting from each other. 
We thank you a thousand times for the kind offer. 

Seeheim : June 22. 

... I do earnestly hope that too long a time may 
not elapse before we meet. 

It is very hot, and I feel very low and unhappy. 
To-morrow this house will be full, and all the Eussians, 

8 Princess Charles's brother, Prince Adalbert of Prussia. 



i873 TRIALS. 307 

&c., close by. Had there only been any other quiet country 
place to be at, how gladly would I have escaped this ! 

... It is only three weeks to-day since we took our 
darling to his last resting-place ! I wish I could go there 
to-day, but it is too hot and too far. 

Fritz and Louise of Baden came two days ago to Darm- 
stadt, to see my parents-in-law and us. 

Dr. Macleod's letter is very kind. 

I enclose two photographs of dear Frittie out of groups, 
the negative of one of which unluckily does not exist any 
more. The little blouse is the one he had on on that 
terrible day. My darling sweet child — to have lost him so ! 
To my grave shall T carry this sorrow with me. 

In the book you sent me there is a fine poem by Miss 
Procter, ' Our grief, our friend,' called Friend sorrow, which 
expresses so much what I myself feel about a deep grief. 

Seeheim : June 27. 

... It was just four w^eeks yesterday smce our 
darling died, and we went to the Mausoleum. I felt the 
whole weight of my sorrow, and the terrible shock doubly 
again. But the precious child does not — that is a comfort. 
He is happy and at rest, whilst we grieve and mourn. 
Ernie always prays for Frittie, and talks to me of him 
when we walk together. 

Aunt Marie arrived at two on Monday, and a few hours 
later came to see me, and was so sympathising, motherly, 
and loving ; it touched me much. At such moments she is 
peculiarly soft and womanly, and she loves her own children 
BO tenderly. She cried much, and told me of the sad death 
of her eldest girl, who was seven, and of the terrible, irre- 
j)arable loss her eldest son was to her. She has such a reli- 
gious, truly resigned way of looking at great sorrows such as 

X 2 



3o8 TRIALS J 873 

these. In the room I am now living in Amit Marie had 

seen Frittie in his bath two years ago, and she remembered 

all about him. She is commg to ' Sunshine's ' toilet this 

evening ; it always amuses her, and she is very fond of the 

children. 

Seeheim : July 9. 

. . . There are days which seem harder than others, 
and when I feel very heartsick, prayer and quiet and soli- 
tude do me good. 

I hear Affie comes on Thursday night. This evening 
the Emperor arrives. Poor Marie ^ is very happy, and so 
quiet. . . . How I feel for the parents, this only daughter 
(a character of Hingehung [perfect devotion] to those she 
loves), the last child entirely at home, as the parents are 
so much away that the two youngest, on account of their 
studies, no more travel about. 

Seeheim : July 26. 

... I am glad that you have a little coloured picture 
of my darling. I feel lower and sadder than ever, and 
miss him so much, so continually. There is such a gai3 
between Ernie and Sunny, and the two boys were such a 
pretty pair, and were become such companions. Having 
so many girls, I was so proud of our two boys ! The plea- 
sure did not last long, but he is mine more than ever now. 
He seems near me always, and I carry his precious image 
in my heart everywhere. That can never fade or die ! 

Seeheim : August 2. 

Many thanks for your dear letter ! I am feeling so 
low and weak to-day that kind words are doubly soothing. 
You feel so Avith me, when you understand how long and 

" The Grand Duchess Marie, who was engaged on the 11th of July to 
the Duke of Edinburgh. 



1873 TRIALS. 309 

deep my grief must be. And does one not grow to love 
one's grief, as having become part of the being one loved — 
as if through this one could still pay a tribute of love to 
them, to make up for the terrible loss, and missing of not 
being able to do anything for the beloved one any more ? ^ 
I am so much with my children, and am so accustomed to 
care for them and their wants daily, that I miss not having 
Frittie, the object of our greatest care, far more than words 
can describe ; and in the quiet of our everyday life, where 
we have only the children around us, it is doubly and 
trebly felt, and is a sorrow that has entered into the very 
heart of our existence. 

May the hour of trial and grief bring its blessing with 
it, and not have come in vain ! The day passes so quickly, 
when one can do good and make others happy, and one 
leaves always so much undone. I feel more than ever, one 
should put nothing off; and children grow up so quickly 
and leave one, and I would long that mine should take 
nothing but the recollection of love and happiness from 
their home with them into the world's fight, knowing that 
they have there always a safe harbour, and open arms to 
comfort and encourage them when they are in trouble. 
I do hope that this may become the case, though the lesson 
for parents is so difficult, being continually gifing, without 
always finding the return. 

Dear Fanny Baillie has been a few days here, and goes 



* How these words recall those of Constance {King John, act iii. 
scene 4) : — 

Grief fills the room up of my absent child, 
Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, 
Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, 
Eemembers me of all his gracious parts, 
StuSs out his vacant garments with his form ; 
T hen have I reason to be fond of grief. 



3IO TRIALS. 1873 

to England to-day. I shall miss her so much. I am so 
very fond of her. I hope you will see her ; she will bring 
you many messages from us. 

Seeheim : August 13. 

. , . After endless difficulties it has been settled 
that we can go to the Mainau. I am so far from strong 
and well that a change is necessary, and we shall go on 
the 15th, as Louise of Baden proposed, and I have written 
this to her. 

How you will enjoy the rest at Balmoral ! After so 
much going on, you must require it. 

Helene Pveuter is coming here for a fortnight with her 
boy — Ernest's age. Poor boy, he longs for a playfellow. 

Seeheim : August 16. 

. . . Louis joins with me in saying that we shall 
gratefully accept your wish that we should come to Windsor, 
and he trusts there will be no difficulties^^for leave then. . . . 

Seelieim : September 7. 

. . . You ask if I can play yet ? I feel as if I could 
not, and I have not yet done so. In my own house it seems 
to me, as if I never could play again on that piano, where 
little hands were nearly always thrust when I wanted to 
play. Away from home — in England — much sooner. I 
had played so often lately that splendid, touching funeral 
march of Chopin's, and I remember it is the last thing I 
played, and then the boys were running in the room. 

Mary Teck came to see me and remained two nights, 
so warm-hearted and sympathising. I like to talk of him 
to those who love children, and can understand how great 
the gap, how intense the pain, the ending of a little bright 
existence causes. 



i873 TRIALS. 3^1 

Soon 1 shall have my Louis back. I long for hhn very 
much ; but the change of ah% the active out-door life, and 
being quite thrown into men's society and occupations, 
must refresh body and mind. Here he has only me, the 
governess and children as Umgang. But he is what the 
Germans call ein Hausliammel — it is what he likes best. 

We shall do nothing for his birthday. The children will 
recite their poems and write little things, and his parents 
will come to our five o'clock tea. 

Heiden, Appenzell : October 7. 

How kind of you to remember our darling's birth- 
day ; we both thank you for this. Sad and many are our 
thoughts. I think of my loneliness and anxiety when he 
v;as born, with Louis far away in the midst of danger — a 
sad and awful time to come into the world ; but sweet 
Frittie was my comfort and occupation, a second son, a 
pleasure to us both ! Now all this is wiped out, and our 
parents' hearts are sore, and asking for the dear bright face 
we miss so much from amongst our chxle of children ! He 
ended his fight very soon. May we all follow in a way as 
peaceful, with as little struggle and pain, and leave an image 
of as much love and brightness behind, to l^e a blessed 
remembrance for the rest of our lives ! 

I can't write on any other subject to-day, therefore close 
these short lines with much love from your devoted child, 

x\lice. 

Darmstadt : November 14. 

... It is very kind of you to ask about the rooms. 
I should prefer living in the tapestry rooms this time. It 
won't be like the last time — though after our house here, so 
full of happy and of heartrending recollections, I go through 



312 TRIALS. 1873 

continual pangs, which it will take many a year to soften 
down, as you can understand. 

Beloved Mama, Buckingliam Palace : December 20. 

How much I thank you for your dear precious letter, 
and for all the true love and considerate sympathy you 
showed me during our visit ! It has soothed and comforted 
me, I assure yoQ, and will be a pleasure and satisfaction 
for me to look back to the many pleasant talks we had 
together. 

Louis, who has always been so devoted to you, was 
touched to tears, as I was, by your expressions of love to 
us and to our children. 

Thank you also for all advice, which is so precious to 
me, and in following it I shall like to think that I am doing 
something that you told me. 

How much I felt in parting from you I cannot say. 
Neither did I like to speak of it, for it was too much, and the 
harder things in life are better borne in silence, as none can 
bear them for one, and they must be fought out by oneself. 

Ernie and Irene send endless loves to you, to Uncle and 
Auntie. Sunny's hand is better. 

Tilla came to see me yesterday, and we both drove with 
her to the Memorial.^ 

. . . There is so much I would run on about, now the 
dear habit of intercourse together has once more become so 
natural to me. Writing is at best a poor rein2)lagant. 

Once more from both of us warm and tender thanks for 
so much love and kmdness ! Love to Leopold and Bea- 
trice ; kind remembrances to all who surround you ! 

From your grateful and devoted child, 

Alice. 

2 To the Prince Consort in Hyde Park. 



i873 TRIALS. 313 

Buckingham Palace : December 21. 

... It is fine and warm and still. I hope it will 
be so early to-morrow when we cross over. I shall tele- 
graph how the passage has been. 

Please thank Brown for his kind wishes. I am so sorry 
that I missed saying good-bye to several. To say the truth, 
I dreaded it. It is always so painfal. The old Baron's^ 
way of disappearing was almost the best. 

•^ Baron Stockmar had such a disHke of leave-takings that he never let 
it be known when he was going away from the English Court. The first 
intimation of hi s intention was — that he was already gone. 



314 TRIALS. 



>74 



1874 

During the first months of this year the Princess had the 
comfort of seeing many of her relations. The year was 
chiefly spent in retirement, and devoted to many sad me- 
mories. On the 24th of May she gave birth to a daughter, 
whose christening took place on the 11th of July at Jugen- 
heim, near Darmstadt, in the presence of the Empress of 
Eussia and the Duke of Edinburgh. The child received 
the names of Marie Victoria Feodora Leopoldine. 

The hottest part of the summer was spent at Blanken- 
berghe for the use of sea baths. In September the great 
manoeuvres of the Eleventh Army Corps took place in Upper 
Hesse, Vvdiere the Princess met the Emperor of Germany. . 

The Princess's charitable institutions were all prosper- 
ing, and assuming larger and larger proportions ; amongst 
them the Princess's own hospital was by degrees slowly 
approaching completion. It was the institution she had 
the most at heart. It was intended to be a training-school 
for those who intended to become nurses, and a home for 
probationers whose training was at an end. It was also to 
serve as a model of those reforms in sanitary arrangements 
which the Princess had so much at heart. 



1 874 TRIALS. 315 

When the provisional English hospital at Darmstadt 
(already mentioned dm'ing the war in 1870) had been taken 
over by the Hessian authorities, all its teniture, appoint- 
ments, &c., were left to the ' Alice Ladies' Union ' for the 
small hospital which it had started, aided by a small body 
of doctors in Darmstadt. This was the origin of the * Alice 
Hospital,' begmi in a very small humble way in a cramped 
little house in the Mauer-Strasse. The Frauen-Verein 
had undertaken, when the English National Society for Aid 
to Sick and Wounded had made over their hospital to them, 
either to build quite a new one or thoroughly to reorganise 
the existing one in the Mauer-Strasse. There were no 
funds to build a new hospital ; therefore, the ' Alice Ladies' 
Union ' could only resort to the other alternative, and this 
was carried out to the letter, by additional buildings and a 
totally new arrangement of its interior. As time went on, 
it was found advisable to give the hospital a distinct ad- 
ministration, and to separate it from the ' Alice Ladies' 
Union,' placing special funds at its disposal. This never 
would have come to pass, nor would the hospital have 
proved- the success it did, had it not been for the untiring 
zeal, perseverance, economy, and practical knowledge of 
the lady directing it. During the summer months of 1874, 
a lady well acquainted with German and English hospitals 
— a trained nurse herself — became Lad}^ Superintendent of 
the training-school for nurses, and of the hospital gener- 
ally, which gradually, but surely, was gaining in import- 
ance. 

The Alice Union for the Employment of Women made 



3i6 TRIALS. 1874 

a further step in advance during this year, and estabhshed 
itself on a firm broad basis under the name of ' The AHce 
Society for the Education and Employment of Women of 
all Classes.' Of this the Princess was the President, whilst 
Fraulein Louise Biichner directed the whole. The gentle- 
men and ladies who formed the committee were chosen by 
the Princess. All worked most harmoniously together ; 
and the Princess was as anxious to receive advice from 
others in matters concerning the society as she was glad 
to give it herself. 



Darmstadt : January 12. 

. . . Hoiv low and miserable I am at times in these 
rooms, particularly when I go to bed, I cannot tell you ! 
The impression of all is so vivid and heartrending. I could 
cry out for pain sometimes. 

Till the first year is round this will often return, I know, 
and must be borne as part of the sorrow ! 

January 16. 

... I know well what your grief and your bereave- 
ment were compared to mine ; but they are such different 
sorrows, I don't think one can well compare them. Your 
life was broken — upset : altered from the very roots, 
through the one you lost ; my life is unchanged, save in 
the mother's heart the blank, the pain which thousands of 
little things awaken — which by the world, even by the 
family, are scarcely felt ; and this ofttimes loneliness of 
sentiment clouds one's life over with a quiet sorrow which 
is felt in everything. . . . 



i874 TRIALS. 317 

Darmstadt : January 23. 

On our dear Affie's [Prince Alfred's] wedding-day, a 
few tender words. It must seem so strange to you not to 
be near him. My thoughts are constantly with them all, 
and we have only the Times' account, for no one writes 
here — they are all too busy, and of course all news comes 
to you. What has Augusta [Lady Augusta Stanley] 
written, and Vicky and Bertie? Any extracts or other 
newspaper accounts but what we see would be most welcome. 

We give a dinner to-night to the family and entourage^ 
and Kussian and English legations. . . . 

Louis sends you his love and warmest wishes for your- 
self and the happiness of the dear pair, in which I most 
earnestly join. God bless and protect them, and may all 
turn out well ! 

Darmstadt : January 28. 

. . . Dear Marie [the Duchess of Edinburgh] seems 
to make the same impression on all. How glad I am she 
is so quite what I thought and hoped. Such a wife must 
make Affie happy, and do him good, and be a great plea- 
sure to yourself, which I always like to think. I shall read 
to my mother-in-law the letters, and show them to Bauer- 
lein. Both will be very grateful for being allowed to see 
them. 

We are going from Saturday to Monday to Carlsruhe. 
The eldest girls and Bauerlein, who is going to take charge 
of them for a week, are going with us. 

. . . One day we have six degrees of heat, the next 
two or four of cold ; it is very unwholesome. 

Carlsruhe : February 2. 

I have a little time before breakfast to thank you 
so very much for the enclosures, also the Dean's [Stanley] 



3i8 TRIALS. 1874 

letter through dear Beatrice. We are most grateful for being 
allowed to hear these most interesting reports. It brings 
everything so much nearer. How pleasant it is to receive 
only satisfactory reports ! I fear Aunt Marie is far from 
well. I should be very anxious, for she is like a fading flower. 

All the family, Hohenlohes and Holsteins, send their 
duty. All their respective children and ours were together 
yesterday afternoon. I hope not to seem vain, if it strikes 
me that amongst all the children my girls usually carry 
away the palm. Victoria is m such good looks at pre- 
sent ; they are both natural and real children, and as such 
I hope to be able to retain them long. 

Sophie Weiss ^ came to see me yesterday. I was very 
glad to be able to give her so good an account of you, and 
how young you looked when I had that great happiness of 
those few short days at Windsor, which did me good in 
every respect. Old Fran von Bunsen, now eighty-three, 
I went to see — such a charming old lady, fresh in her 
mind, with snow-white hair. You and Papa were the topic 
she enjoyed sjpeaking about, and our brothers and sisters. 

Darmstadt : March 2. 

. . . My nice Miss Graves I could so well have 
taken when Kitty left, but I was so anxious for a German 
that, though I was much inclined towards her, I thought 
a German more important than it really is. Not the 
nationality but the individuality is the first thmg ; and here 
I think I have succeeded in finding the right person. . . . 

Darmstadt : March 11. 

... I hope you were not the worse for all your 
exertions. The Times' accounts are charming. Such a 

^ A former Dresser of the Queen's. 



i874 TRIALS. 319 

warm reception must have touched Marie, and shown how 
the English cKng to their Sovereign and her house. 

We have cold, snow and dust, after quite warm weather. 
I trust you will have sunshine to-morrow. 

This last fortnight the news from Ashantee has so 
absorbed our thoughts. It has been an arduous undertak- 
ing, and one's heart warms to our dear troops, who under 
all difficulties sustain their old name for bravery and endur- 
ance. The poor 42nd [Kegiment] lost many through illness, 
too; and I see they entered Coomassie playing the bag- 
pipes ! 

Louis is just reading to me Sir Hope Grant's book on 
the Indian Mutiny, which he kindly sent me, and which is 
interesting and pleasant to read. 

I am taking the first snowdrops to sweet Frittie's 
grave. How the first flowers he so dearly loved bring tears 
to my eyes, and recollections which wring my heart anew ! 
I dread these two next months with their flowers and their 
birds. Good bye, darling Mama. 

Darmstadt : April 7. 

. . . Surely Marie must feel it very deeply, for to 
leave so delicate and loving a mother must seem almost 
wrong. How strange this side of human nature always 
seems — leaving all you love most, know best, owe all debts 
of gratitude to, for the comparatively unknown ! The lot 
of parents is indeed hard, and of such self-sacrifice. 



April 11. 

. . . The children are too much an object here ; 
,they have too little to compare with ; they would be bene- 
fited by a change, seeing other things and people, else they 
get into a groove, which I know is not good. They are 



320 TRIALS. 1874 

very unspoilt in their tastes, and simple and quiet children, 
which I think of the greate^st importance. 

Louis Battenherg has passed a first-rate examination. 
The parents are so happy, and the influence the good 
conduct and steady work of the elder brother has on the 
younger is of the greatest use, as they wish to follow him, 
and be as well spoken of, and please their parents, as 
he does. ... 

April 15. 

My best thanks for your dear letter of the 13th. You 
say rightly, what a fault it is of parents to bring up their 
daughters with the main object of marrying them. This is 
said to be a too prominent feature in the modern English 
education of the higher classes. ... I want to strive to 
bring up the girls without seekiyig this as the sole object for 
the future — to feel they can fill up their lives so well other- 
wise. ... A marriage for the sake of marriage is surely 
the greatest mistake a woman can make. ... I know what 
an absorbing feeling that of devotion to one's parent is. 
When I was at home, it filled my whole soul. It does still 
in a great degree, and Heimweh [home -sickness] does not 
cease after ever so long an absence. . . . 

Darmstadt : April 23. 

... I thought so much of your remarks about 
daughters, &c., and do think it so natural and dutiful to 
remain with one's parent as long as one is wanted. Is it 
not a duty when no one else can take one's place ? I should 
feel it so. 

Aprit 26. 

I thank you most tenderly for your loving wishes 
for my birthday, received on getting up yesterday morning. 
You can understand that the day was inexpressibly sad, 



i874 TRIALS. 321 

that the fak head missing in our circle was painfully felt, 
and that all these recollections caused me endless tears and 
heartache — though not for him, sweet precious child. 

As you say, life at best is a struggle : happy those who 
can lie down to rest, having fought their battle well ; or 
those who have been spared fighting it at all, and have 
remained pure and untouched, barely touching this earth, 
so mixed up with grief and sin ! 

Let me thank you for the charming photographs, and 
for the present towards the layette — a most kind assistance. 

. . . We went to the Mausoleum. The children had 
made me wreaths to take there, and we all went together. 
How often and tenderly Ernie speaks of Frittie ! It is 
very touching, and speaks of his deep and warm heart. 
He said the other day — for the recollection of death has 
left such a deep impression, and he cannot reconcile it with 
life, it pains him — ' When I die, you must die too, and all 
the others ; why can't all die together ? I don't like to die 
alone, like Frittie.' Poor child ! the wish that all have, 
who love their own, so early expressed. . . . 

May 4. 

Many thanks for your last dear letter written on dear 
Arthur's birthday, of which, though late, I wish you joy. 
Such a good, steady, excellent boy as he is ! What a com- 
fort it must be to you, never to have had any cause of 
uneasiness or annoyance in his conduct ! He is so much 
respected, which for one so young is doubly praiseworthy. 
From St. Petersburg, as from Vienna, we heard the same 
account of the steady line he holds to, in spite of all chaf- 
fing, &c., from others ; which shows character. 

My mother-in-law tells me that since Miechen has been 
allowed to retain her reHgion, this right will of course be con- 
ceded to all Princesses in future. What a good thing, for 



322 TRIALS. 1874 

the changing I always thought too had, and nowadays so in- 
tolerant and narrow. ... To think of Mr. Van de Weyer 
also leaving this world ! To you he will be a loss, and to all 
who knew him. Old friends are precious landmarks in the 
history of one's life, and not to be replaced by new ones ; 
and it is sad, how time reduces the number as one gets on 
in life. How deeply you must feel this with each fresh loss ! 
I feel much for you. . . . 

Darmstadt : May 18. 

. . . Since 1867 the Emperor [of Eussia's] face 
shrank so, and he became so thin. When I first saw him, 
in 1864, he was much stouter and fresher looking. He 
has many cares, and one sees they weigh upon him, for he 
is so kind and so well-meaning, and- has done so much to 
advance liberty and culture in his own country. 

Beloved Mama, Darmstadt : June 5. 

. . . The day ("Whitsunday, and dear Frittie's burial- 
day) of Baby's birth would have been too sad, had not the 
fact of its being your birthday given a double significance ; 
but when I heard those bells, and became conscious again 
of everything, my feelings were deep and mingled beyond 
expression. 

. . . With repeated tender thanks, your most loving 

child, 

Alice. 

June 11. 

. . . Having no cow, or country place to keep one, 
in this tremendous heat where one can't keep milk, and 
dysentery carries off so many babies, it w^ould not be fair 
to deprive the poor little thing of its natural and safest 
nourishment till the hot months are over. These, darling 



i874 TRIALS. 323 

Mama, are my reasons, and though I do it with such plea- 
sure, yet it is not without sacrifices of comfort and conveni- 
ence, &c. ; but it seems to me the best course to take for 
our children, and as we are situated. 

Many thanks for being Baby's godmother ! It gives us 
great pleasure. 

Do thank all our good people for their kind interest. . . . 

I am driving out this afternoon, if cool enough. . . . 
You must not tell one of the heavenly Scotch air, when 
one is breathing heated stove air ; it makes one too en- 
vious. . . . 

July 13. 

The christening went off very well. Baby looked 
really pretty for so young an individual. It was in a large 
room. Marie [Duchess of Edinburgh], quite in pink, held 
her godchild ; and my mother-in-law, with her best love, 
begs me to tell you, it had pleased her so much that you 
had asked her to represent you. My three older girls looked 
very nice, I thought, in lavender silk (your Christmas pre- 
sent). I had the same colour, and ' Sunny,' in pink, was 
immensely admired. She is still improving in looks since 
you saw her. 

I was glad it was another place, in different circum- 
stances from the last christening. As it was, it moved me 
much. The last time I heard these words darling Frittie 
was with us, and now the chain has a gap ! 

. . . We can get nothing at Scheveningen except at 
exorbitant prices, so we go to that dreadful Blankenberghe — 
without tree or bush, nothing but a beach and sand 
banks. 

Blankenberghe : July 24. 

The sea air is doing all good, the children especially, 
the heat had pulled them so. 

Y 2 



324 TRIALS. 18741 

I have bathed once, and hope it will agree. . . . My 
cough and relaxed throat are getting better. 

The rooms are small and few, but clean, and the cook- 
ing good, and we are quite satisfied. There is not a soul 
one knows. 

Blankenberghe : August 16. 

This day makes me think of our dear kind Grand- 
mama, whose image still dwells amongst us ! None who 
ever knew her can forget how truly loveable she was ; and 
we grandchildren will ever retain such a bright recollection 
of her. So many little attentions, small souvenirs, kind 
letters, all tokens of affection so pleasing to the receivers. 

Yesterday Louis saved a lady from drowning. He was 
bathing. The waves were high, and he heard a cry for help, 
and saw a bather struggling. She had lost her footing. Her 
husband tried to help her, but was exhausted and let her go ; 
equally so the brother-in-law, and Louis felt he was losing 
his strength, but she kept her presence of mind and floated. 
He let her go once till a wave brought her near him again, 
and he caught her hand and brought her in, feeling quite 
done himself. I was not in the sea at the time, for the 
waves were so tremendous that I lost my footing several 
times, and had come out, fearing an accident. The lady 
is a Mrs. T. Sligo, a Scotchwoman, and she has just written 
to me to thank Louis. He is a good swimmer, and very 
strong. The gentlemen are two grey-haired Scotchmen. 

Ella has so wonderfully improved since she has been 
here. She is no more pale and languid, and Ernie is 
another child also. 

Luckily it has not been warm, so the air and baths are 
doubly efficacious. They have done me a world of good. 
I feel quite different to what I have done ever since Sunny's 
birth. I believe the sea to be the only thing for such a 



i874 TRIALS. 325 

relaxed state, and, being strong and healthy by nature, I 
can't bear not being well and feeling so weak. Miss Graves 
has returned, but the girls have been very good — no trouble 
at all. 

Kranichstein : August 26. 

On dear Papa's birthday I must send you a few 
lines. The past is ever bright and vivid in my mind, though 
year after year intervenes. How must it be for you, who 
live surrounded by such precious recollections of the happy 
past ! 

I think doubly of you to-day, and doubly tenderly, sweet 
Mama ! 

I got home quite right, and found the house here cold. 
There was no sun, and our rooms being to the north, and 
the wood so near, makes them feel chilly. 

I am glad dear Leopold bore the journey well. The air 
will do him good in his weakened state. 

The day at Laeken was quiet and pleasant. Marie is 
still thinner, and more aged, I think. The loss of that 
nice boy weighs on them still, and they spoke much about 
it, and she with many tears. 

Everyone has his burden to bear, and must bear it 
alone with trust and resignation — that is the thing to 
struggle and to pray for. 

Kranichstein : September 1. 

... I shall get a comforter done for good Mrs. 
Brown, kind old woman. I am glad she does not forget 
me, and shall be pleased to do any little thing that can give 
her pleasure. Will you tell her, the plaid she made me 
.still goes everywhere with me ? How is Mrs. Grant ? 

Louis is gone, and I have a good deal to do every day. 
We breakfast at half-past eight, then I have Baby and take 
the children out till eleven. I then have business. Baby, 



326 TRIALS. 1874 

and, at one, the elder girls alternately for French reading. 
After luncheon I write my letters, &c., and before five go 
out. In the evenings I read, and have supper at eight with 
the two ladies. 

Ella is another child since she has been at the seaside — 
fine colour, no longer pale and languid, learns well, and is 
quite different. Ernie the same, bright and fresh; while 
before they had been looking pulled and weak, outgrowing 
their strength. 

' Sunny ' is the picture of robust health, and sweet little 
' sister Maly ' sits up quite alone, and is very neat and rosy, 
with such quick eyes, and two deep dimples in her cheeks — 
a great pet, and so like my poor Frittie. 

The return here has been very painful, and days of 
great depression still come, when I am tormented with the 
dreadful remembrance of the day I lost him. Too cruel 
and agonising are those thoughts. I dwell on his rest and 
peace, and that our sufferings he cannot know. What 
might not life have brought him ? Better so ! but hard to 
say, ' God's will be done.' 

Kranichstein : September 15. 

. . . 's conversion has created no smaller sensa- 
tion with us than elsewhere, and the Times criticised his step 
so sharply. It remains a retrograde movement for any Pro- 
testant, how much more so for a man of his stamp ! Quite 
incomprehensible to me. 

. . . This Catholic movement is so un-English. I think, 
among those Eitualists there are bond fide Catholics who 
help to convert. . . . 

I will send you sweet little Maly's photograph next time. 
. . . Baby has a very fair skin, light-brown hair and deep 
blue eyes with marked eyebrows, not much colour in her 
cheeks, but pink and healthy-looking altogether. 



i874 TRIALS. 327 

Kranichstein : September 24. 

. . . People with strong feelings and of nervous 
temperament, for which one is no more responsible than for 
the colour of one's eyes, have things to fight against and to 
put up with, unknown to those of quiet equable dispositions, 
who are free from violent emotions, and have consequently no 
feeling of nerves — still less, of irritable nerves. If I did not 
control mine as much as I could, they would be dreadful. 
. . . One can overcome a great deal — but alter oneself one 
cannot. ... 

October 31. 

... I always think, that in the end children educate 
the parents. For their sakes there is so much one must 
do : one must forget oneself, if everything is as it ought 
to be. It is doubly so, if one has the misfortune to lose a 
precious child. Kiickert's lovely lines are so true (after the 
loss of two of his children) : 

Nun hat euch Gott verlieh'n, was wir aiich woUten thun, 
Wir wollten euch erzieh'n, und ihr erzielit uns nun. 
Kinder, ihr erziehet mit Schmerz die Eltern jetzt ; 
Ihr zieht an uns, und ziehet uns auf zu euch zuletzt.^ 

Yesterday Ernie was telling Orchard that I was going 
to plant some Spanish chestnuts, and she said, ' Oh, I shall 
be dead and gone before they are big ; what a pity we had 
none sooner ! ' and Ernie burst out crymg and said, ' No, 
you must not die alone — I don't like people to die alone ; 
we must die all together ! ' He has said the same to me 
before, poor darling. After Lenchen's [Princess Christian's] 

- Now unto you tbe Lord has done what we had wished to do ; 
We would have train'd you up, and now 'tis we are train'd by you. 
With grief and tears, children, do you your parents train. 
And lure us on and up to you, to meet in heaven again. 



328 TRIALS. 1874 

boys were gone, and he had seen Eddy and Georgy [sons of 
Prmce of Wales], his own loss came fresh upon him, and he 
cried for his little brother ! It is the remaining behind 
the loss, the missing of the dear ones, that is the cruel 
thing to bear. Only time can teach one that, and resigna- 
tion to a Higher Will. . . . 

Darmstadt : November 9. 

. . . The new Church laws (similar to the Prussian) 
go through our Upper Chamber to-morrow, and will meet 
with great opposition. Louis is, of course, for accepting 
them, as a check must be put on the Catholics; for the 
Catholic clergy are paid by the State as well as the Protest- 
ant, so that the State has an equal right over both ; but this 
right the Catholics have for years managed to evade. The 
Bishop of Mayence is doing his utmost to create every possible 
obstacle, but it is to be hoped that one will not here have 
to have recourse to the method of fines and imprisonment 
as in Prussia. . . . 

November 16. 

Many thanks for your dear letter, and for the advice, 
which, as a mark of your interest in our children, is very 
precious, besides being so good ! What you mention I have 
never lost sight of, and there is, as you say, nothing more 
injurious for children than that they should be made a fuss 
about. I want to make them unselfish, unspoiled, and con- 
tented ; as yet this is the case. That they take a greater 
place in my life, than is often the case in our families, 
comes from my not being able to have enough persons of a 
responsible sort to take charge of them always; certain 
things remain undone from that reason, if I do not do them, 
and they would be the losers. I certainly do not belong by 
nature to those women who are above all tcife ; but circum- 



1 874 TRIALS. 329 

•stances have forced me to be the mother in the real sense, 
as m a private family, and I had to school myself to it, I 
assure you, for many small self-denials have been necessary. 
Baby-worship, or having the children indiscriminately about 
one, is not at all the right thing, and a perpetual talk about 
one's children makes some women intolerable. I hope I 
steer clear of these faults — at least I try to do so, for I can 
only agree in every word you say, as does Louis, to whom I 
read it ; and he added when I was reading your remarks, 
* Das thust Du aber nicht. Die Kinder und andere Menschen 
wissen gar nicht, was Du fiir sie thust ' [' But you don't do so. 
Neither the children nor anybody else knows what you do 
for them ']. He has often complained that I would not have 
the children enough in my room, but, being of your opinion, 
where it was not necessary, I thought it better not. . . . 

December 12. 

I enclose a few lines to Mr. Martin.^ I have only 
had time to look at the preface, and am very glad to hear 
that you are satisfied. 

With what interest shall I read it ! You will receive 
these lines on the 14th. Last year I had the comfort of 
Toeing near you. It did me real good then, and I thank you 
again for those short and quiet days, where the intercourse 
with you was so soothing to my aching heart. There is no 
TJmgang [intercourse] I know, that gives me more happiness 
than when I can be with you — above all, in quiet. The 
return to the so-called world I have barely made. Life is 
serious — a journey to another end. The flowers God sends 
to brighten our path I take with gratitude and enjoy ; but 
much that was dearest, most precious, which this day 

3 The first volume of whose Life of the Prince Consort had just been 
published. 



330 TRIALS. 1874 

commemorates, is in the grave ; part of my heart is there 
too, though their spirits, adored Papa's, hve on with me, the 
hohest and brightest part of Hfe, a star to lead us, were we 
but equal to following it ! The older I grow the more per- 
fect, the more touching and good, dear Papa's image stands 
before me. Such an entire life for duty, so joyously and 
unpretendingly borne out, remains for all times something 
inexpressibly fine and grand ! With it how tender, lovable, 
gay, he was ! I can never talk of him to others who have 
not known him, without tears in my eyes — as I have them 
now. He was and is my ideal. I never knew a man fit to 
place beside him, or so made to be devotedly loved and 
admired. . . . 

December 14. 

Before this day is over, I must write a few words — my 
thoughts are so much with you and with the past, the 
bright happy past of my childhood, where beloved Papa 
was the centre of this rich and happy existence. I have 
spent nearly the whole day with the precious volume which 
speaks so much of you and of him. 

What a man in every sense of the word ; what a Prince 
he was — so entirely what the dear old Baron [Stockmar] 
urged him always to be ! Life with him must have seemed 
to you so secure and well-guarded. How you must have 
loved him ! It makes one's heart ache again and again, in 
reading and thinking of all dear Papa was to you, that you 
should have had to part from him in the heat of the day, 
when he was so necessary. Ihm ist icohl [With him it is 
well]. A life like his was a whole long life-time, though 
only twenty-two years, and he well deserved his rest ! 

The hour is nearing when we last held and pressed his 
hand in life, now thirteen years ago. How well I recollect 
that last sunrise, and then the dreadful night with you that 



i874 TRIALS. 331 

followed on that too awful day ! But it is not well to dwell 
on these things, when we have the bright sunny past to 
look back to. Tennyson's beautiful Dedication ^ expresses 
all one feels and would wish to say. I can only add, with 
a heavy-drawn sigh, ' Oh, to be worthier of such a Father ! ' 
How far beneath him, if not always in aims, at least in 
their fulfilment, have 1 always remained ! 

December 17. 

My best thanks for the letter of the 15th. Poor 
Colonel Grey's ^ death is shocking, and Bertie and Alix are 
sure to have felt it deeply. Dear Bertie's true and constant 
heart suffers on such occasions, for he can be constant in 
friendship, and all who serve him serve him with warm 
attachment. I hope he won't give way to the idea of 
Sandringham being unlucky, though so much that has been 
trying and sad has happened to them there ! Superstition 
is surely a thing to fight against ; above all, with the feel- 
ing that all is in God's hands, not in ours ! 

How interesting the book is [Life of the Prince Consort] ! 
I have finished it, and am hefriedigt [satisfied]. It was a 
difficult undertaking, but Mr. Martin seems to have done it 
very well. 

I am sure dear Osborne is charming as ever, but I can't 
think of that large house so empty ; no children any more ; 
it must seem so forsaken in our old wing. I have such a 
Heimiveh [yearning] to see Osborne again after more than 
six years ! . . . 

•* To The Ichjlls of the King. 

^ Only child of Sir George Grey, and Equerry to the Prince of Wales. 
He died at Sandringham of inflammation of the lungs. 



332 TRIALS. 1875 



1875 

Each year the Princess Alice endeavoured by some public 
effort or other — either a dramatic or musical performance — 
to collect funds for her many charitable institutions which, 
as they extended their field of usefulness, were more and 
more in need of pecuniary help. Artists as well as ama- 
teurs gladly offered their services on all such occasions. 

In the beginning of this year the Prince and Princess 
and their children went to England for two months, spend- 
ing part of the time with the Queen, and part with the 
Prince and Princess of Wales. The two eldest daughters, 
Victoria and Elizabeth, accompanied their grandmother to 
Balmoral in May. 

The whole family returned to Darmstadt at the end of 
June. In July the Prince and Princess Louis were present 
at the ' coming of age ' of the Hereditary Grand Duke of 
Baden. The rest of the summer was spent at Kranichstein. 

In 1874 the Hessian Government had amended their 
educational laws for the schools, and had established, as a 
fundamental principle, that needlework in all its branches 
should be taught in all girls' schools, and that suitable 
teachers for this purpose should be engaged. To meet this 



i875 TRIALS. 333 

necessity, a course of lectures and instruction in the art of 
needlework was instituted by the ' Alice Society,' open to 
women and girls of all classes. This has proved in its 
results of real blessing and benefit to the whole country. 



[The next two letters arose out of the expression of an 
opinion on the part of some of the Prince Consort's friends, 
that the publication of his Life under the sanction of the 
Queen, with unreserved fulness of details, had been pre- 
mature.] 

Darmstadt : January 3, 1875. 

... It is touching and fine in you to allow the 
world to have so much insight into your private life, and 
allow others to have what has been only your property and 
our inheritance. 

People can only be the better for reading about dear 
Papa, such as he was, and such as so feelingly and delicately 
Mr. Theodore Martin places him before them. To me the 
volume is inexpressibly precious, and opens a field for 
thought in various senses. 

For the frivolous higher classes how valuable this book 
will be, if read with real attention, as a record of a life 
spent in the highest aims, with the noblest conception of 
duty as a'leading star. 

To this letter Her Majesty replied : — 

Dearest Alice, Osborne : January 12, 1875. 

. . . Now as regards the book. If you will reflect 
a few minutes, you will see, how I owed it to beloved Papa 



334 TRIALS. 1875 

to let his noble character be known and understood, as it 
now is, and that to wait longer, when those who knew him 
best — his own wife, and a few (very few there are) remain- 
ing friends — were all gone, or too old, and too far removed 
from that time, to be able to present a really true picture of 
his most ideal and remarkable character, would have been 
really wrong. 

He must be known, for his own sake, for the good of 
England and of his family, and of the world at large. 
Countless people write to say, what good it does and will do. 
And it is already thirteen years since he left us ! 

Then you must also remember, that endless false and 
untrue things have been written and said about us, public 
and private, and that in these days people will write and 
will know : therefore the only way to counteract this is to 
let the real, full truth be known, and as much be told as can 
be told with prudence and discretion, and then no harm, 
but good, will be done. Nothing will help me more, than 
that my people should see what I have lost ! Numbers of 
people we knew have had their Lives and Memoirs published, 
and some beautiful ones : Bunsen's, by his wife ; Lord 
Elgin's, by his (very touching and interesting) ; Lord Pal- 
merston's; &c., &c. 

The Early Years volume was begun for private cir- 
culation only, and then General Grey and many of Papa's 
friends and advisers begged me to have it published. This 
w^as done. The work was most popular, and greatly liked. 
General Grey could not go on with it, and asked me to ask 
Sir A. Helps to continue it, and he said that he could not, 
but recommended Mr. Theodore Martin as one of the most 
eminent writers of the day, and hoped I could prevail on 
him to undertake this great national work. I did succeed, 
.and he has taken seven years to prepare the whole, sup- 



i875 TRIALS. 335 

plied by me with every letter and extract ; and a deal of 
time it took, but I felt it would be a national sacred work. 
You must, I think, see I am right now ; Pa^Da and I too 
would have suffered otherwise. I think even the German 
side of his character will be understood. 

One of the things that pleases people most is the beau- 
tiful way in which he took all good Stockmar's often very 
severe observations. And they also admire so much good 
old Stockmar's honesty, fearlessness, and are pleased to be 
shown what a dear warm-hearted old man he was. Your 
devoted Mama, 

V. E. 



January 18. 

. . . The service in Dr. Weber's study before the 
open coffin, filled with flowers, was very affecting. He was 
truly beloved and respected. His sufferings must have been 
intense, and for many years borne heroically — not a word 
said : not a complaint ; always ready to bear the sorrows of 
others with them, yet bearing his own unassisted ! Wonder- 
ful self-command and unselfishness ! He knew his illness 
was fatal ; even to the latter weeks considered his days as 
but few, and put all in order, without letting his family 
and friends know what he himself only too well foresaw. 

It was a stormy afternoon with pouring rain when he 
was buried. Louis, his poor boy, and many were out. . . . 

We have April weather. I have a very heavy cold, and 
feel so weak and done up. It is too warm and unhealthy : 
every place smells, our house especially. 

January 27. 

. . . My little May has such a cold, which lessens 
her usual smiles. She is a fine strong child, more like 



336 TRIALS. 1875; 

what Victoria was, but marked eyebraws, with the fair hair 
and such speaking eyes. She and AHky are a pretty con- 
trast ! 

February 14. 

You say of the drains just what I have said from' 
year to year ; and this summer — if we can get away in the 
spring, when it is most unwholesome — what can be done is- 
to be done, and I hope with better success than what has 
hitherto been attempted. 

My httle May cannot get rid of her cough, though she 
looks pink and smiling. I shall be so glad to show her ta 
you — she is so pretty and dear. 

My father-in-law has for the first time got the gout in. 
his feet, and is so depressed. Uncle Louis suffers dread- 
fully from oppression at night, so that he can't remain in 
bed. He is a good deal aged, and stoops dreadfully. ... 

March 14. 

Louis gave me a dreadful fright last week by sud- 
denly breaking through the ice, and at a very deep place. 
He laid his arms over the thicker ice, and managed to keep- 
above water till some one was near enough to help him out. 
He said the water drew immensely, and he feared getting. 
under the ice. The gentleman, who is very tall, lay down 
and stretched his arms out to Louis, another man holding, 
the former : and so he got out without ill effects. As it 
was at Kranichstein, he undressed and rubbed himself 
before the stove in the Yerwalter's [land- steward's] room ; 
and he came home in the Yerwalter's clothes, which looked 
very funny. . . . 

Marlborough House : May 15. 

I did not half thank you yesterday for our pleasant 
visit. I could not trust myself to speak. I felt leaving^ 



i875 TRIALS. 337 

you again so much. 'It has been a great happiness to me, 
so ivohlthuend [doing me so much good] to have been with 
you, and I can never express what I feel, as I would, nor 
how deep and tender my love and gratitude to you are ! 
The older I grow, the more precious the Verhdltniss [rela- 
tion] to a mother becomes to me, and how doubly so to 
you! 

Louis feels as I do ; his love to you has always been 
as to his own mother ; and my tears begin to run, when 
I recall your dear face and voice, which to see and hear 
again has seemed so natural, so — as it ought to be ! that 
it is quite difficult to accustom myself to the thought that 
only in memory can I enjoy them now. 

How I do love you, sweet Mama ! There is no sacrifice 
I would not make for you ! and as our meetings are of late 
years so fleetmg and far between, when they are over, I 
feel the separation very much. . . . 

Marlborough House : June 15. 

. . . God bless you, my precious Mother, watch 
over and guard you ; and let your blessing and motherly 
interest accompany us and our children ! Louis' tenderest 
love ; many, many kisses from all children, and William's 
respectful duty ! 

Kranichstein : June 20. 

. .• . All Victoria and Ella tell me of their stay at 
Balmoral— the many things you gave them and their 
people — touches me so much : let me thank you so many 
times again. I feel I did not half say enough, but you 
know how much I feel it ! 

Om- journey did very well ; no one was ill, after that 
dreadful storm— a piece of luck. You are now again at 
Windsor. How much I think of you and of dear Beatrice ! 



338 TRIALS. 1875; 

July 10. 

. . . We got home from Carlsriilie at eleven o'clock 
last night. We went there on Thm-sday ; arrived at two ; 
were received there by Fritz and Louise and the Emperor ; 
found dear Marie Leiningen and Hermann and Leopoldine 
there. Fritz W. arrived half an hour afterwards from. 
Yienna, having met with a railway accident in the night ; 
but he was, thank God, unhurt — barely shaken. 

It was frightfully hot ! Family dinner at five ; then a 
drive about the town, which was decked with flags. At 
nine in the evening a large soiree and continual circle ! 
and supper — such a heat ! At eight next morning in gala,, 
church service. Fritz (son) for the first time in uniform 
with the Black Eagle; then at ten a very fine parade, in 
which Fritz marched past as second lieutenant with his 
regiment. The troops were so fine ; the Emperor led his. 
own regiment past, and it was a very moving sight, with a 
great deal of cheering. At two, there was a large banquet, 
at which Fritz made a beautiful speech, and the Emperor a 
very good answer. 

All Fritz's (son) former school-fellows, and the different 
schools and masters, came by in procession, and the day 
was very fatiguing. He is such a good boy. His former 
tutor, who finished his task of education yesterday, said to 
me : ' Er ist ein giiter Mensch und die Wahrheit selber ' 
[He is a good man, and truth itself]. He was very self- 
possessed, modest, and civil, talking to everyone. He i& 
full of promise, and has been carefully and lovingly brought 
up by his parents, who are such excellent people. I have 
the greatest regard for them. 

I told the Emperor the fright we had about the war. 
He was much distressed, that anyone could believe him 
capable of such a thing ; but our Fritz and Fritz of Baden 



i875 TRIALS. 339 

agree that, with Bismarcl:, m spite of the nation not wishing 
it, he might bring about a war at any moment. Our Fritz 
spoke so justly and reasonably — quite anti-war — and I told 
him all the opinions I had gathered and heard in London ; 
and he was much grieved and worried, I could see ; but it 
must and can be prevented, if all are against it, I am sure. 
This enormous and splendid army, ready at any moment, is 
a dangerous possession for any country. ... 

Kraniclistein : October 7. 

. . . To-day my eyes will not remain dry ; the re- 
collection of five years ago, which brought us joy and pro- 
mise of more in our sweet second boy, is painful in the 
extreme. The sudden ending of that young life ; the gap 
this has left ; the recollections that are now but to be en- 
joyed in silent memory, will leave a heart-ache and a sore 
place, beside where there is much happmess and cause of 
gratitude. The six children and we, with endless flowers 
and tears, decked his little grave this morning, and some 
sad lines of Byron's struck me as having much truth in the 
pain of such moments — 

But when I stood beneath the fresh green tree, 
Which living waves where thou didst cease to live, 
And saw around me the wide field revive 
With fruits and fertile promise, and the Spring- 
Come forth her work of gladness to contrive, 
With all her reckless birds upon the wing, 
I turn'd from all she brought, to those she could not bring. ^ 

The weather is fine ; it was much like this fiYe years 
ago, but round Metz it rained. Louis was turning into 
quarters with his troops from a sortie, and he called the 
news out to the regiments as he rode along, and they gave 
a cheer for their little Prince ! 

' CJiilde Haivld, canto iii. stanza 30. 



340 TRIALS. 1875 

It was a dreadful time of trial and separation for both 
of us, and Frittie was such a comfort and consolation to 
me in all my loneliness. 

How sorry I am for poor Alix at this long separation ! ^ 
For her sake I grieve at the impossibility of her accom- 
panying him. 

We hope to get back to our house by the 19th, though 
there will be an end of nice walks for the next eight months 
— the town grows so, and is all railroad and coal-heaps 
where we had our walks formerly, and the town pavement 
in the streets is most unpleasant walking. . . . 

Schloss Kranichstein : October 16. 

For your dear letter and for the enclosures I am so 
grateful, but distressed beyond measure at dear Fanny's 
[Lady Frances Baillie]. I had a long letter from her some 
weeks back, when she was more hopeful about dear 
Augusta [Stanley]. This is too much sorrow for them all ! 
Fanny I love as a sister, and dear Augusta's devotion and 
self-sacrifice to you, and even to us in those dreadful years, 
was something rare and beautiful. Her whole soul and 
heart were in the duty, which to her was a sacred one. 
The good, excellent Dean ! My sympathy is so great with 
these three kind and good people so sorely tried. I grieve 
for you, too ! God help them ! 

October 26. 

How sorry I am for dear good old Mrs. Brown and 
for her sons.^ Please say something sympathising from 
me ; her blindness is such a trial, poor soul, at that age. 
How gloomily life must close for her ! 

2 During the visit of the Prince of Wales to India. 

^ Her husband, the father of the Queen's personal attendant, John 
Brown, had just died. See More Leaves from a Journal, p. 319. 



1876 TRIALS. 341 



1876 

Although this new year brought no actual change to the 
usual routine of the daily life in the Princess's home, and 
although the Princess was able to fulfil her social duties, 
traces of serious illness now began to show themselves by 
repeated attacks of exhaustion and weakness. These at- 
tacks were partially relieved by a short stay in the Black 
Forest in June, and by a visit to England and Scotland, 
which she made without her husband. The Prince had 
been detained in Germany by the great manoeuvres, on 
the conclusion of which he fetched her from England, in 
the autumn. On their way back to Darmstadt they stopped 
at Brussels. They also visited Coblenz, to pay their 
respects to the Empress of Germany, who had been to see 
their children at Darmstadt in October. 



January 18, 1876. 

No words can express how deep my sympathy and grief 
is for what our dear Augusta and the Dean have to go 
through. "With her warm, large heart, which ever lived 
and suffered for others, how great must her pain be in 



342 TRIALS. 1876 

having to leave him ! I can positively think of nothing else 
lately, as you know my love for Augusta, the General [her 
brother. General Bruce] and Fanny has always been great; 
and when I think back of them in former times, and in the 
year 1861, my heart aches and my tears flow — feeling what 
you and we shall lose in dear Augusta. My pity for the 
dear good kind Dean is so deep. I sent him a few words 
again to-day, in the hope he may still say a few words of 
love and gratitude to dear Augusta from me. 

Darmstadt: January 22. 

. , . Yesterday morning Ernie came in to me and 
said, * Mama, I had a beautiful dream ; shall I tell you ? 
I dreamt that I was dead and was gone up to Heaven, and 
there I asked God to let me have Frittie again ; and he 
came to me and took my hand. You were in bed, and saw 
a great light, and were so frightened, and I said, "It is 
Ernie and Frittie." You were so astonished ! The next 
night Frittie and I went with a great light to sisters.' Is 
it not touching ? He says such beautiful things, and has 
such deep poetic thought, yet with it all so full of fun and 
romping. 

February 9. 

... I am so sorry and shocked about excellent Mr. 
Harrison.^ What a loss ! He was so obliging and kind 
always in the many commissions for us children. Poor 
Krauslach,^ too — so sad ! It is too grievous ; how one well- 
known face — with its many associations — after another, is 
called away; and on looking back, how short a space of 
time they seem to have filled ! 

' Secretary in the office of the Privy Purse. 

^ The Prince Consort's head groom, who had come over with him to 
England. 



1876 TRIALS. 343 

Wolfach : June 7. 

. . . The heat here is excessive ; the wild flowers 
covering every field are more beautiful than I have ever 
seen them anywhere — such quantities of large forget-me- 
nots. The streams are very much like Scotch ones ; the 
valleys are ]Dartly very narrow, and the hills wooded to 
the very tojD — rather like the Thiiringer Wald, but more 
different greens : such lovely colouring. I admire the 
•country so much. 

Darmstadt : June 23. 

. . . How sorry I am for good kind old Mrs. Brown 
— to be blind with old age seems so hard, so cruel ; but I 
am sure with your so loving heart you have brightened her 
latter years in many kind ways. It is such a pleasure to 
-do anything for the aged ; one has such a feeling of respect 
for those who have the experience of a long life, and are 
Hearing the goal. 

. . . Yesterday, again, the Emperor Alexander spoke 
to me, really rejoicing that the political complications were 
clearmg peacefully : * Dites a Maman encore une fois comme 
cela me rejouit, et de savoir comme c'est elle qui tient a la 
paix. Nous ne pouvons, nous ne voulons pas nous brouiller 
avec I'Angleterre. II faudrait etre fou de penser a Con- 
stantinople ou aux Indes ! ' He had tears in his eyes, and 
seemed so moved, as if a dreadful weight was being lifted off ; 
so happy for the sake of Marie and Affie, too, that matters 
were mending. He showed me after dinner the buttons 
you gave him, spoke also so affectionately of Bertie. . . . 
I thought of you — thirty-nine years of rule not to be en- 
vied, save for the service one can render one's country and 
the world in general in such an arduous position. 

Private individuals are, of course, far the best, off — our 
privileges being more duties than advantages — and their 



344 TRIALS. 1876 

absence would be no priyation compared to the enormous ad- 
vantage of being one's own master, and of being on equality 
with most people, and able to know men and the world, as 
they are, and not merely as they please to show themselves 
to please us. . . . 

Darmstadt : July 5. 

. . . We dined with Uncle Louis, the Emperor &c., 
and Grand Duke of Weimar, at Seeheim yesterday. The 
Emperor said he had written to you, but Prince Gortscha- 
koff seemed only half-happy, and said to me : ' Franchement 
puis-je vous le dire, je desirerais voir I'Angleterre grande, 
forte, decidee dans la politique, comme Fetait Canning et 
les grands hommes d'etat que j'ai connus en Angleterre il y 
a quarante ans. La Eussie est grande et forte ; que I'Angle- 
terre le soit aussi ; nous n'avons pas besoin de faire attention 
a tons les petits.' He said we made our foreign policy and de- 
spatches for the Blue Book, and not an open decided policy 
before the House of Commons and the world. It may inter- 
est you to hear this opinion, as it shows the temper of his 
policy. 

September 5. 

It is long since I have felt such pain as the death 
(to me really sudden and unexpected, in spite of the danger 
inherent in her case) of my good, devoted, kind Emily ^ has 
caused me. My tears won't cease. Louis, the children, the 
whole household, all mourn and grieve with me. She was. 
singularly beloved, and richly deserved to be so ! Her devo- 
tion and affection to me really knew no bounds. I cannot 
think what it will be to miss her. I have never been served 
as she served me, and probably never shall be so again. It 
is a wrench that only those can estimate who knew her well — 

^ Tlie Hon. Emily Caroline Hardinge, the Princess's Lady-in -Waiting 
died in London on the 4th of September, 1876. 



1876 TRIALS. 345, 

like poor Mary Hardinge. She came first in Emily's heart, 
and the loss for her is quite, quite irreparable ! Had I but 
seen dear Emily again ! This sudden, cruel sort of death 
shocks me so. 

How I should have nursed and comforted her had I 
been near her ! She always fished this, and told me she 
had such a fear of death. There never breathed a more 
unselfish, generous, good character. 

September 6. 

... I fear you will find me so dull, tired, and use- 
less. I can do next to nothing of late, and must rest so 
much. Poor Emily ! My thoughts never leave her. I 
cannot yet get accustomed to the thought of her loss. 

P.S. — Just received your dear note. The accounts of 
my dear Emily's sad end have just reached me, and I am 
terribly upset. You can hardly estimate the gap, the blank 
she will leave — my only lady, and in many ways liomme 
d'affaires. We had been so much together this last waiting ; 
everything reminds me of her, and of the touching love she 
bore me. Surely some years more she would have lived. 

Darling Mama, I don't think you quite know how far 
from well I am, and how absurdly wanting in strength. I 
only mention it, that you should know that until the good 
air has set me up I am good for next to nothing ; and I 
fear I shan't be able to come to dinner the first evenings. 
I hope you won't mind. I have never in my life been like 
this before. I live on my sofa, and in the air, and see no one, 
and yet go on losing strength. Of course this unexpected 
shock has done me harm too, and has entailed more sad 
things. . . , 

Douglas's Hotel, Edinburgh : September 11, Sunday. 

... I hear Ernie is still so dull and melancholy at. 
missing me ; he always feels it most, with that tender loving 



346 TRIALS. 1876 

heart of his. God preserve and guard this to me so inex- 
pressibly precious child ! I fancy that seldom a mother 
and child so understood each other, and loved each other, 
as we two do. It requires no words ; he reads in my eyes, 
as I do in his what is in his little heart. 

It is so wonderfully still here, not a soul in the streets. 
The people of the house have sent up several times to 
enquire when and to what church I was going ; so I shall 
go, as it seems to shock them, one's staying away. I shall 
see the Monument this afternoon, and go and see Holyrood 
again. The whole journey here brought back with the 
well-remembered scenery the recollection of my childhood, 
all the happy journeys with dear Papa and you. How the 
treasured remembrance, with the deep love, lives on, when 
all else belongs to the past ! 

I seem, in returning here, so near you and him and 
former happy years, when my home was in this beloved 
country. No home in the world can quite become what the 
home of one's parents and childhood was. There is a 
sacredness about it, a feeling of gratitude and love for the 
great mercies one had there. You, who never left country, 
Geschtvister [kindred], or home, can scarcely enter into this 
feeling. 

In the hopes of meeting you soon, kissing your dear 
hands, with thanks for all goodness, and many excuses for 
having caused so much trouble. ... 

Buckingham Palace : October 19. 

I was so sad at parting with you yesterday. I could 
not half thank you for all your love and kindness during 
those weeks. But you know how deeply I feel it; how 
truly grateful I am to you ; how happy and contented I am 
to be allowed to be near you as in old days. Darling 



ff876 TRIALS. 347 

Mama, once more, thousand thanks for all and for every- 
thing ! 

The journey went quite well, and I am not particularly 
tired. 

Buckingliam Palace : November 19. 

Thousand thanks for your dear letter received this 
morning ! I feel leaving dear England, as always, though the 
XDleasure of being near the dear children again is very great. 

Let me thank you once more from my heart, darling 
Mama, for all your great kindness, and for having enabled 
me to do what was thought necessary and best. I return 
so much stronger and better than I came, in every way— 
refreshed by the pleasant stay in dear Balmoral with you, 
and then much better for the time here. I feel morally 
refreshed, too, with the entire change, the many interests 
to be met with here, which is always so beneficial, and will 
help me in every way when I get back to Darmstadt. All 
this I have to thank you for, and do so most warmly. 

Louis, who, as you know, is full of love and affection 
for you, is very grateful for your kind words, and has like- 
wise derived profit and enjoyment from his stay in England. 

... My colour and strength have so much returned, 
that I do not doubt being well again this winter. 

I went with Dean Stanley to see Mr. Carlyle, who was 
most interesting, and talked for nearly an hour. Had I 
had time, I would have written down the conversation. 
The Dean said he would try and do so. 

With Louise I visited Mr. Motley also, who in his way 
is equally interesting, and has a great charm. . . . 

Darmstadt : November 26. 

Many thanks for your last letter from Balmoral, 
received yesterday morning ! I knoiv you feel leaving the 



348 TRIALS. 1876. 

dear place, but without going away there is no Wiedersehen 
[meeting again]. The happiness of our meeting with the 
dear children was very great on all sides — they eat me up I 

They had made wreaths over the doors, and had no end 
of things to tell me. We arrived at three, and there was 
not a moment's rest till they were all in bed, and I had 
heard the different prayers and hymns of the six, with all 
the little different confidences they had to make. My heart 
was full of joy and gratitude at being with them once more, 
and I prayed God to make me fit to be their real friend 
and stay as long as they require me, and to have the insight 
into their different characters to guide them aright, and to 
understand their different wants and feelings. This is so 
difficult always. 

Victoria is immensely grown, and her figure is forming- 
She is changing so much — beginning to leave the child and 
grow into the girl. I hear she has been good and desirous 
of doing what is right ; and she has more to contend with 
than Ella, therefore double merit in any little thing she 
overcomes, and any self-sacrifice she makes. 

Ernie is very well, and his birthday was a great delight. 
Sweet little May is enchanting, — ' my iveet heart,' as she 
calls me. Aliky is very handsome and dear. 

Darmstadt : December 12. 

I see this letter will just arrive on the 14th — day 
never to be forgotten ! How deeply it is graven in my 
heart — with letters of blood ; for the pain of losing him, and 
of witnessing your grief, was as sharp as anything any 
child can go through for its beloved parents. Yet, God's 
mercy is to be found through all, and one learns to say^ 
* Thy will be done,' hard though it is. . . . 



1877 TRIALS. 349 



1877 

The health of Prince Charles of Hesse (father of Prince 
Louis) had for some time past given cause for great anxiety. 
He had always suffered from violent headaches and a deli- 
cate throat. On the evening of the 11th of March he was 
seized with erysipelas, and died peacefully on the 20th. 
The Princess shared the grief of her mother-in-law and 
family most truly ; for Prince Charles, though outwardly 
shy and retiring, was a man of great cultivation and refine- 
ment, and had made himself beloved by all who knew him. 
He was buried in the Mausoleum at the Eosenhohe on the 
24th of March. The Grand Duke, who was deeply affected 
by his brother's death, and all the family were present. 

A month had scarcely passed since Prince Charles's death 
when the Grand Duke himself was attacked by serious illness 
at Seeheim, one of his summer residences, near Darmstadt, 
and died on the 13th of June at the age of seventy-one. 

Prince Louis was the next heir, and ascended the throne 
as Grand Duke Louis IV. 

The total change of circumstances, the heavy duties 
and responsibilities of her new position, came most unex- 
pectedly upon the Princess, and she scarcely felt herself 



350 TRIALS. 1877 

equal to them. With her well-known conscientiousness, 
and high feeling of duty it was not surprising that they 
weighed heavily upon her, more especially as her health 
had of late become very delicate. Still, the hope of being 
able to carry out many a plan for the welfare of her adopted 
country encouraged her greatly. 

After the official receptions held by the Grand Duke and 
Grand Duchess were over, they left Darmstadt for the quiet 
little watering-place of Houlgate in Normandy. The Grand 
Duke was only able to accompany the Grand Duchess as- 
far as Metz, but he followed her later on with the children. 
The rest and quiet were good for them all ; and, apparently 
much improved in health, the Grand Duchess returned for 
the first time as * mother of the country ' [Landesmutter] 
to Darmstadt. Her reception was of the warmest and 
most enthusiastic nature, which she took as a good omen 
for the future. 

The Emperor of Germany and the Crown Prince visited 
Darmstadt at the end of September, for the purpose of as- 
sisting at the cavalry manoeuvres, to the great satisfaction 
of the country. 

The change in Princess Alice's position in no wise 
affected her relations to her many charitable institutions, 
though she had of course many new responsibilities thrown 
upon her. Her constant endeavour was to be just and free 
from prejudice, to recognise what was good, no matter 
where, and to promote and further it to the best of her 
power. 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess saw much of the 



i877 TRIALS. 351 

Crown Prince and Princess of Grermany during the latter 
part of the year, as they were living at Wiesbaden. 

Fraulein Louise Biichner, who had been for ten years 
so intimately connected with the Grand Duchess, not 
only as working with her for the good of others, but also by 
ties of the truest friendship, died on the 28th of November. 
Her death caused a gap which was sorely felt. A few days 
before her death, when she was already confined to her 
bed, she received a letter from the Grand Duchess herself, 
on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the opening of 
the * Alice Bazaar,' thanking her for all she had done. 

The Grand Duchess had caused many of the pamphlets 
written by Miss Octavia Hill to be translated, in the hopes 
of encouraging in Darmstadt the authorities, and those at 
the head of private undertakings, to further exertions for 
improving the condition of the poor. 

Whilst in England she had become acquainted with 
Miss Octavia Hill, * the warm-hearted friend of the poor,' 
and had visited with her many of the poorer parts of 
London. She felt the sincerest admiration and respect 
for Miss Hill, and entirely shared her view, * that we 
must become the friends of the poor to be their bene- 
factors.' The Grand Duchess did not wish to copy exactly 
in Germany what Miss Hill had done in London: but 
she hoped that the knowledge of what had been done in. 
other places would be an incentive to work in the same 
direction. 

At the beginning of this year the Grand Duchess had 
visited in strictest incognito the worst houses (in sanitary 



352 TRIALS. 1877 

respects) in Mayence, and determined to make a plan for 
the erection of new dwellings for the working classes there. 



Darmstadt : January 1. 

. . . How beautifully Max Miiller's letter ^ is written 
\ and expressed, and how touchingly and truly he puts the 
point of view on which we all should learn to stand. To 
become again pure as children, with a child's faith and 
trust — there where our human intellect will ever stand 
still ! 

I have been reading some of Eobert son's sermons again, 
and I think his view of Christianity one of the truest, 
warmest, and most beautiful I know. . . . 

Darmstadt : March 23. 

Thank you so much for your dear and sympathising 
letter. These have been most painful — most distressing 
days — so harrowing. 

The recollections of 1861, of dear Frittie's death, when 
my dear father-in-law was so tender and kind, were pain- 
fully vivid. My mother-in-law's resignation and touching 
goodness, doing all that she could during the illness and 
since for all arrangements, is very beautiful ! 

The poor sons gave way to bursts of tears during those 
agonising hours ; yet they held their father alternately with 
me, and were quiet and helpful for their mother and for him, 
just as their simple quiet natures teach them. I begged 
Bauerlein to write to you meanwhile. I am feeling so 
exhausted, and there is so much to do, and we are always 
„going from one house to the other. 

^ Written after the death of his daughter. 



i877 TRIALS. 353 

It was heartrending from Monday morn till Tuesday 
eve, to see the painful alteration in the dear well-known 
features augmenting from hour to hour, though I believe 
he did not suffer latterly. He was not conscious, unless 
spoken to, or called very directly. 

My mother-in-law never left his bedside day or night, 
and we were only a few hours absent on Monday night. 
Before we went home, she called our names distinctly to 
him as we kissed him, and he seemed to notice it ; then she 
knelt down, and distinctly, but choked with tears, prayed 
the Lord's Prayer for him, calling him gently. 

The next day at six we were there again, and till half 
past six in the evening never left the bedside. She re- 
peated occasionally, as long as she thought he might hear, a 
short verse — so touching ! and once said, * Bist Du traurig ? 
es ist ja nicht auf lange, dann sind wir wieder zusammen ! ' 
[' Art thou sad ? It is not for long, and then we shall be 
together again '] kissing and stroking his hands. It was 
very distressing. 

When all was over we four were close to her, and she 
threw herself on him, and then clasped her sons to her 
heart with words of such grief, as you so well understand ! 

Early the next morning we went with her to his room. 
He lay on his bed, very peaceful, in his uniform. Louis 
had clasped the hands together when he died, and I arranged 
flowers on the bed and in the room round him. 

There is a terrible deal to do and to arrange, and many 
people come, and we are much with my poor mother-in- 
law. Yesterday afternoon we went for the last time, to see 
the remains of what had been so precious. She read a 
' Lied ' [a hymn], and then kissed him so long, and took 
with us the last look. Yesterday evening the coffin was 
closed in presence of the sons. 

A A 



354 TRIALS. 1877 

We are going to the Eosenhohe [the Mausoleum] now, 
before gomg to Louis' mother, to put things straight there, 
and see if one can get by dear Frittie — it is so small. 

The three brothers are dreadfully upset, but able to 
arrange and see after what is necessary. Aunt Marie [the 
Empress of Eussia] wanted to come, and is in terrible dis- 
tress ; she loved that brother beyond anything. In her last 
letter to my mother-in-law she says, * Ich habe solche 
Sehnsucht nach dem alten Bruder ' [* I have such a yearning 
after my old brother]. 

His was a singularly delicate-minded, pure, true, unsel- 
fish nature, so full of consideration for others, so kind. My 
tears flow incessantly, for I loved him very dearly. 

My dear mother-in-law has such a broken ruined exis- 
tence now — all turned round him ! She knows where to 
find strength and comfort — it will not fail her. . . . 

Darmstadt : June 7. 

. . . We are going through a dreadful ordeal. The 
whole of Monday and Monday night, with a heat beyond 
words, dreading the worst. Now there has been a slight 
rally.^ Whether it will continue to-morrow is doubtful. 
He is always conscious, makes his little jokes, but the pulse 
is very low and intermits. I was there early this morning 
with Louis. . . . 

The questions, long discussions between Louis and some 
people, as to complication and difficulty of every kind that 
will at once fall upon us are really dreadful, and I so unfit 
just now ! The confusion will be dreadful. . . . 

I am so dreading everything, and above all the respon- 
sibility of being the first in everything, and people are not 
hienveillant. 

2 The Grand Duke of Hesse was alarmingly ill. 



1 877 TRIALS. 355 

I shall send you news whenever I can, but I am so worn 
out. I shall not be able to do so much myself. 

I know 3^our thoughts and wishes are with us at so hard 
a time. God grant we may do all aright ! . . . 

Telefframs. 

June 7. 

Going to Seeheim, as great weakness has come on. 
Am much tired by all that lies before us, and not feeling 
well. 

Seeheim : 13tli. 

Dear Uncle Louis is no more. We arrived too late. 

Darmstadt : 6.20 o'clock, 13th. 

Such press of business and decisions. Feel very 
tired. 

15th. 

We are both so over-tired ; the press of business and 
decisions is so wearing, with the new responsibility. 

18th. 

Last ceremony over ! All went off well, and was 
very moving. 

Alice. 

Darmstadt ; June 19. 

Only two words of thanks from both of us for your 
kind wishes and letters ! Christian and Colonel Gardiner 
l)ring you news of everything that has been and is still 
going on. But we are overwhelmed, over- tired, and the 
heat is getting very bad again. 

. . . Will tell you what a very difficult position we are 
in. It is too dreadful to think that I am forced to leave 

A A 2 



356 TRIALS. 1878 

Louis in a few weeks under present circumstances, but, if 
he wishes to keep me at all, I must leave everything and 
this heat for a time. These next weeks here will be very 
anxious and difficult. God grant we may do the right 
things ! 

June 28. 

. . . To have to go away just now, when the refresh- 
ment of family life is so doubly pleasant to Louis after his 
work, I am too sorry for. If I were only better ; if I only 
thought that I shall have the chance of rest, and what is 
necessary to regain my health ! Now it will be more diffi- 
cult than ever, and I see Louis has the fear, which I also 
have, that I shall not hold out very long. 

July 15. 

... I leave on Tuesday, but stop on the way. The 
children go direct and join me in Paris, when we go on 
together on Friday or Saturday to Houlgate. The trains 
don't fit, and one has some way to drive from Trouville. 

Houlgate : July 25, 

. . . This place is quite charming — real country, so 
green, so picturesque — a beautiful coast ; the nicest sea- 
place I have been at yet. Our house is ' wee ' for so many, 
and the first days it was very noisy : and it was so dirty. 
The maids and nurses had to scrub and sweep ; the one 
French housemaid was not uj) to it. All is better now, and 
quite comfortable enough. The air is doing me good, and 
the complete change. I have bathed twice, and the sea 
revives me. 

I follow as eagerly as any in England the advance of 
the Eussians, and with cordial dislike. They can never be 
redressers of wrongs or promoters of civilisation and Chris- 
tianity. What I fear is, even if they don't take Constan- 



i877 TRIALS. 357 

tinople, and make no large demands as the price of their 
victories now, the declaration of the independence of Bul- 
garia will make that country to them in future what 
Eoumania has been for Eussia now, and therefore in twenty 
years hence they will get all they want, unless the other 
Powers at this late hour can bring about a change. It is 
bad for England, for Austria, for Germany, if this Kussian 
Slav element should preponderate in Europe ; and the other 
countries must sooner or later act against this in self- 
preservation. 

What do the friends of the ' Atrocity Meetings ' say 
now ? How difficult it has been made for the Government 
through them, and how blind they have been ! All this 
must be a constant worry and anxiety for you ! 

The children are so happy here — the sea does them 
such good. I am very glad I brought them. 

Houlgate : July 28. 

. . . Though we have rain off and on, still the 
weather is very pleasant, and we are all of us charmed with 
the place, and the beautiful, picturesque, fertile country. 
The life is so pleasant — real country — which I have never 
yet found at any bathing-place abroad yet. I have bathed 
every other day — swim, and it does me good. I feel it 
already. Ella is getting her colour back, and the little 
ones look much better. 

I send you the last photos done of the children ; Ella's 
is not favourable, nor Irene's, but all in all they are a 
pretty set. May has not such fat cheeks in reality ; still it 
is very dear. The two little girlies are so sweet, so dear, 
merry and nice. I don't know which is dearest, they are 
both so captivating. 

I have been to an old tumble-down church at Dives — 



358 TRIALS. 1877 

close by here — where WilHam the Conqueror is said to have 
been before starting for England. His name and those of 
all his followers are inscribed there — names of so many 
families now existing in England. It was very interesting. 

August 22. 

. . . How difficult it is to know one's children well; 
to develop and train the characters according to their 
different peculiarities and requirements ! . . . 

Darmstadt : September 9. 

... I must tell you now, how very heartily and 
enthusiastically the whole population, high and low, re- 
ceived us yesterday. It was entirely spontaneous, and, as 
such, of course so very pleasing. ... I was really touched, 
for it rained, and yet all were so joyous — flags out, bells 
ringing, people bombarding us with beautiful nosegays ; all 
the schools out, even the higher ones, the girls all dressed 
in white. The Kriegerverein, Louis' old soldiers, singing, 
&c. In the evening all the Gesangvereine joined together 
and sang under our windows. 

We are very glad to be at home again, and, please God. 
with earnest will and thought for others, we together shall 
in our different ways be able to live for the good of the 
people entrusted to our care ! May God's blessing rest on 
our joint endeavours to do the best, and may we meet with 
kindness and forbearance where we fall short of our duties ! 

Darmstadt : October 30. 

... I had to receive sixty-five ladies — amongst 
them my nurses — and some doctors from here and other 
towns, all belonging to my Nursing Society, which has now 
existed ten years. Then I was at the opening of my In- 



i877 TRIALS. 359 

dustrial Girls' School, where gh'ls from all parts of the 
country come, and which is a great success. I started it 
two years ago. On Sunday I took the children to hear the 
Sunday school, which interested them very much. 

I have been doing too much lately, though, and my 
nerves are beginning to feel the strain, for sleep and ap- 
petite are no longer good. Too much is demanded of one ; 
and I have to do with so many things. It is more than 
my strength can stand in the long run. ... 

December 13. 

For to-morrow, as ever, my tenderest sympathy I 
Time shows but more and more what we all lost in beloved 
Pa]Da ; and the older I grow, the more people I know, the 
more the remembrance of him shines bright as a star of 
purer lustre than any I have ever known. May but a small 
share of his light fall on some of us, who have remained so 
far beneath him, so little worthy of such a father ! We 
can but admire, reverence, long to imitate, and yet not 
approach near to what he was ! 

We are going with the children to-day to Wiesbaden 
until Saturday ; and I mean to tell Yicky that she had 
better give up the hope of my being able to come for the 
wedding.^ I could not do it. I only trust the why will be 
understood. Do write to the dear Empress about it when 
next you write. How sorry I am to be absent at a moment 
when, as sister and a German Sovereign's wdfe, I should be 
there ; but the doctor would not hear of it, so I gave 
it up. . . . 

Darmstadt : December 21. 

. . . You say all that happened after the dreadful 
14th is effaced from your memory. How well I can imagine 

^ Of the Princess Charlotte of Prussia with the Hereditary Prince of 
Saxe - Meiningen. 



36o TRIALS. 1877 

that ! I remember saying my utmost to Sir Charles Phipps 
in remonstrance to your being wished to leave Windsor — 
it was so cruel, so very wrong. Uncle Leopold insisted ; it 
all came from him, as he was alarmed lest you should fall 
ill. 

Hoiv you suffered was dreadful to witness ; never shall 
I forget what I went through for you then ; it tore my heart 
in pieces ; and my own grief was so great, too. Louis 
thought I would not hold to my engagement then any more 
— for my heart was too filled with beloved, adored Papa, 
and with your anguish, to have room or wish for other 
thoughts. 

God is very merciful in letting time temper the sharp- 
ness of one's grief, and letting sorrow find its natural place 
in our hearts, without withdrawing us from life ! 



The End 
1878 

^ Life is serious — a journey to another end' (^Bec, \2tJi, 1874) 



1878 

The state of the Grand Duchess's health prevented her from 
accompanymg the Grand Duke to Berhn on the occasion of 
the marriages of Princess Charlotte of Prussia (eldest 
daughter of the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany) 
to the Hereditary Prince of Saxe Meiningen, and of Princess 
Elizabeth of Prussia (sister to the Duchess of Connaught) 
with the Hereditary Grand Duke of Oldenburg. Although 
she was unable to go out much into society, or to take an 
active part in social gaieties, her interest and sympathy 
were unabated, particularly in all matters concerning art 
and science. She received many guests, and Prince 
William of Prussia (then studying at Bonn) often visited 
her. 

The celebrated portrait-painter Heinrich von Angeli 
came to Darmstadt in the spring to paint a family picture 
of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess and their children 
by command of the Queen of England. Princess Alice 
greatly enjoyed his acquaintance, and was charmed as well 
by his musical talent as by his wonderful genius in paint- 
ing. Angeli's picture of Princess Alice was the last ever 
painted of her. 



364 THE END. 1878 

The repeated attempts on the Hfe of the old Emperor of 
Germany affected the Grand Duchess very nearly, as from 
her childhood she had ever heen greatly attached to him. 

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess with their children 
spent the summer months of this year at Eastbourne. Sea 
bathing and sea air had again been recommended as neces- 
sary. 

The Grand Duke had to return to Darmstadt soon after 
their arrival at Eastbourne, but towards the end of the stay 
there he rejoined them. 

The whole family visited the Queen at Osborne. 

Although the Grand Duchess had during all her former 
visits to England, shown her lively personal interest in 
all charitable institutions in London, visitmg many herself, 
she seems on the occasion of this, her last, visit to her be- 
loved native land, to have taken a more than ordinary in- 
terest in these matters, and to have also gone minutely 
into the subject of the exertions which were being made to 
relieve the pressing wants of the poor. 

The Grand Duchess had scarcely arrived at Eastbourne, 
(an eye-witness tells us) w^hen she at once made enquiries 
as to the condition of the poorer parts of that town, and 
determined to visit them herself. She loved to wander 
about that part of Eastbourne which is inhabited by the 
fishing population. She often entered their cottages, visit- 
ing the sick, and showing her sympathy to all. The visits 
to the Sunday School were a great pleasure to her. The 
Princess often remarked, ' how much good such instruction 
must do.' 



1878 THE END. 365 

She attended divine service at a church some httle way 
off, not because the service was particularly attractive, but 
because the church and its congregation needed support 
and help. 

Amongst those good works w^hich from year to year had 
specially occupied her were the Eefuges and Penitentiaries 
for those poor women and girls who most need our help. 
Much had been done in this way in England, and the 
Albion Home at Brighton, founded and managed solely by 
Mrs. Murray Vicars, had proved of the greatest service and 
blessing. The Grand Duchess invited Mrs. Vicars to come 
and see her at Eastbourne and tell herself about her work, 
and showed her, when she came, the greatest sympathy and 
kindness, entering with the warmest interest into all details 
of the working of the Home. 

Before leaving Eastbourne the Grand Duchess went in- 
cognita to Brighton, and paid a private visit to the Albion 
Home. * I only come as one woman to visit another ' were 
the Princess Alice's own words, when Mrs. Vicars begged her 
to be allowed to tell the poor Penitents who their visitor was. 

The Grand Duchess was greatly impressed, after her 
visit to the Home, by Mrs. Vicars's wonderful power and 
practical knowledge, and by her gentle, loving way towards 
those poor girls ; and this in a great measure induced her, 
with the Grand Duke's consent, to become Patroness of the 
Albion Home. At first, when asked by Mrs. Vicars to 
become the Patroness, she had refused to do so ; but, having 
reconsidered the subject, she wrote to her the following 
letter from Darmstadt : — 



366 THE END 1878 

' Dear Mrs. Vicars, New Palace, Darmstadt. 

'I have returned from visiting the Home so con- 
vinced of your excellent management of it in every respect, 
that, if you still feel my becoming Patroness of the Home 
(and of the Ladies' Association connected with it) can fur- 
ther the good and noble work, I am most willing to comply 
with your request. The spirit of true, loving, Christian 
sympathy in which the work was begun by you, and with 
which it is carried out ; the cheerfulness you impart, the 
motherly solicitude you offer to those struggling to return 
to a better life, cannot fail to restore in a great measure 
that feeling of self-respect so necessary to those voluntarily 
seeking once more a virtuous life, and by so doing regain- 
ing the respect of their fellow-creatures. " Inasmuch as ye 
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye 
have done it unto Me." In this spirit may the Home, as 
well as the Association connected with it, continue its good 
work. My entire sympathy and good wishes will ever be 
with it. 

' Ever yours truly, 

' Alice.' 

After the Grand Duchess's return to Darmstadt, she 
devoted herself with redoubled energy to all her charitable 
institutions ; but, alas ! she felt more and more that her 
bodily strength was no longer equal to her exertions. 

In the autumn she had the happiness of seeing several 
of her family at Darmstadt, the last of them being her 
brother, Prince Leopold. 



1878 THE END. 367 

Darmstadt : January 26. 

Though I have no letter, and expect none at such a 
moment, still I must send you a few lines to tell you how 
<3onstantly I think of you, and of my own beloved and 
adored country. The anxiety you must be going through, 
and the feelings you must experience, I share with my 
whole heart. . . . 

God grant it may be possible to do the right thing, for 
it is late, and the complication is dreadful ! 

I have barely any thoughts for anything else ; and the 
Opposition seems to me to have been more wrong in its 
country's interest, and to have done her a greater harm 
than can ever be redressed. It is a serious, awful moment 
for Sovereign, country, and Government ; and in your posi- 
tion none have to go through what you have — and after all 
so alone ! 

I hope your health bears up under the anxiety. 

April 9. 

. . . Angeli has arrived, and will begin at once. 
We thought Ernie and Ella — Victoria is too big, though 
she is the eldest and ought to be in the picture ; she would 
be too preponderant. Angeli is quite lost in admiration of 
Aliky and May, who are, I must say myself, such a lovely 
little pair as one does not often see. He will begin our 
heads to-morrow. ... 

Darmstadt : November 6. 

... I am but very middling, and leading a very 
quiet life, which is an absolute necessity. It is so depres- 
sing to be like this. But our home life is always pleasant 
— never dull, however quiet. Only a feeling of weariness 
and incapacity is in itself a trial. 



368 THE END. 1878 

On the 8tli of November Princess Victoria was suddenly 
attacked with diphtheria. How and where she caught the 
ilhiess remains unexplained. The Grand Duchess, always 
so courageous in illness, and fearing none, had, however, 
always had a great horror of diphtlieria. Princess Victoria 
was at once isolated from her family and the others in the 
house ; but, alas ! to no purpose. Princess Alice super- 
intended the nursing, aided by the nurses and the Lady 
Superintendent of her hospital. The terrible anxiety of 
the poor mother during that illness is best described by her 
own telegrams and letters to the Queen. 

Telegram. November 8. 

Victoria has diphtheria since this morning. The 
fever is high. I am so anxious. 

Telegram. November 10. 

Victoria is out of danger. 

Telegram. November 12. 

This night my precious Aliky has been taken ill. 

Darmstadt : November 12. 

This is dreadful ! my sweet, precious Aliky so ill ! 
At three this morning Orchie called me, saying she thought 
the child was feverish : complaining of her throat. I went 
over to her, looked into her throat, and there were not only 
spots, but a thick covering on each side of her throat of 
that horrid white membrane. I got the steam inhaler, 
with chlorate of potash for her at once, but she was very 
unhappy, poor little thing. We sent for the doctor, who 
lives close by, and who saw at once that it was a severe 



1878 THE END. 369 

case. We have put her upstairs near Victoria, who is quite 
convalescent, and have fumigated the nursery to try and 
spare May and the others. It is a terrible anxiety ; it is 
such an acute, and often fatal, illness. . . . Victoria has 
been gi-aciously preserved ; may God preserve these [the 
younger ones] also in His mercy ! My heart is sore ; and I 
am so anxious. 

Telegram. November 13. 

Aliky tolerable. Darling May very ill ; fever so 
high. Irene has got it too. I am miserable; such fear 
for the sweet little one ! 

On the 14th of November Prince Ernest and the Grand 
Duke were attacked with diphtheria, so that, up to that time. 
Princess Elizabeth only had escaped the infection. She 
was sent to her Grandmother's, Princess Charles of Hesse's 
palace. 

Telegram. November 15. 

My precious May no better ; suffers so much. I am 
in such horrible fear. Irene and Ernie fever less. Ernie's 
throat very swelled. Louis no worse; almost no spots. 
Aliky recovering. 

Evening. 

Darling May's state unchanged; heartrending. 
Louis' fever and illness on the increase. The others, as 
one could expect ; all severe cases. May's most alarming. 

The sympathy with the Grand Duchess in her great 
anxiety was universal. In many of the churches special 
services were held, praying for the recovery of that dearly 
beloved family. The well-known suffering state of the 
Grand Duchess's own health, so sorely tried at this moment, 

13 B 



370 THE END. 1878 

caused the gravest fears to be entertained on her own 
account. 

On the mornmg of the 16th of November sweet Httle 
Prmcess 'May' — the Princess's 'sunshine,' as she ever 
called her — was taken from her doting parents. The 
Grand Duchess telegraphed as follows to her mother : — 

November 16. 

. . . Our sweet little one is taken. Broke it to my 
poor Louis this morning ; he is better ; Ernie very, very 
ill. In great anguish. 

Telegram. November 16 ; evening. 

The pain is beyond words, but ' God's will be done ! ' 
Our precious Ernie is still a source of such terrible fear. 
The others, though not safe, better. 

Telegram. November 17. 

Ernie decidedly better ; full of gratitude. 

Telegram. November 18. 

My patients getting better ; hope soon to have them 
better. Last painful parting at three o'clock. 

The coffin had to be closed very soon. It was entirely 
covered with flowers. The Grand Duchess quietly entered 
the room where it had been placed. She knelt down near 
it, pressing a corner of the pall to her lips ; then she rose, 
and the funeral service began. 

When it was over, she cast one long, loving look at the 
cof&n which hid her darling from her. She then left the 
room and slowly walked upstairs. At the top of the stairs. 



18/8 THE END. 371 

she knelt down, and taking hokl of the goklen balustrade, 
looked into the mirror opposite to her to watch the little 
coffin being taken out of the house. She was marvellously 
calm ; only long-drawn sighs escaped her. 

When all had left the palace, she went to the Grand 
Duke, who was to be kept in ignorance of all that was going 
on. The Grand Duchess had herself arranged every detail 
of the funeral. 

Telegram. November 19. 

The continued suspense almost beyond endurance. 
Ernie thought he was going to die in the night, and was in 
a dreadful state for some hours. Louis very nervous, too ; 
but they are not worse. The six cases have been one worse 
than the other. 

Later, NoYember 19. 

Ernie had a relapse, and our fears are increased. 
I am in an agony between hope and fear. 

The Grand Duchess desired her warmest thanks to be 
expressed to the country for their heartfelt sympathy. 

On the 25th of November the Grand Duke was able for 
the first time to leave his bed for a few hours, and on the 
6th of December he and Prince Ernest drove out for the 
first time in a shut carriage. 

It was on this day that the Grand Duchess wrote for the 
last time to the Queen. 

Beloved Mama, November 19. 

Tender thanks for your dear, dear letter, soothing 
and comforting ! 

B n 2 



372 THE END. 1878 

Our sweet May waits for us up there, and is not going 
through our agony, thank God ! Her bright, happy, sun- 
shiny existence has been a bright spot in our Hves — but 
oh ! how short ! I don't touch on the anguish that fills me, 
for God in His mercy helps me, and it must be borne ; but 
to-day, again, the fear and anxiety for Ernie is still greater. 
This is quite agonising to me ; lioiv I pray that he may be 
spared to me ! 

His voice is so thick ; new membranes have appeared. 
He cries at times so bitterly, but he is gayer just now. 

To a mother's heart, who would spare her children 
every pain, to have to witness what I have, and am still 
doing, knowing all these precious lives hanging on a thread, 
is an agony barely to be conceived, save by those who have 
gone through it. 

... Your letter says so truly all I feel. I can but say, 
in all one's agony there is a mercy and a peace of God, 
which even now He has let me feel. . . , 

P.S. — I mean to try and drive a little this afternoon. 
I shall go out with Orchie. Of my six children, since a 
week none more about me, and not my husband. It is 
like a very awful dream to me. 

Beloved Mama, November 22. 

Many thanks for your dear letter, and for all the 
expressions of sympathy shown by so many ! I am very 
grateful for it. 

Dear Ernie having been preserved through the greatest 
danger is a source of such gratitude ! These have been 
terrible days ! He sent a book to May this morning. It 
made me almost sick to smile at the dear boy. But he 
must be spared yet awhile what to him will be such a 
sorrow. 



1878 THE END. 27^ 

For myself, darling Mama, God has given me comfort 
and help in all this trouble, and I am sure His Spirit will 
remain near us in the trials to come ! Great sympathy, 
such as all show, is a balm ; but I am very tired, and the pain 
is often very great ; but pain can be turned into a blessing, 
and I pray this may be so. . . . 

When alone, I rest ; and writing even is a physical 
exertion. Those around me have spared me all they could, 
but one must bear the greater weight oneself. 

May God spare you all future sorrow, and give you the 
peace which He alone can give ! 

P.S. — I finish these lines at my dear Louis' bed. He 
thanks you so much for your dear loving sympathy. Thank 
God, he is doing well. But the pain they have all gone 
through in their poor throats has been awful. The doctors 
and nurses — eight ! for they have changed day and night, and 
had such constant attendance — have been all I could wish. 

Your loving child, Alice. 

Darmstadt: December 1. 

. . . Everyone shows great sympathy, I hear, every- 
where. . . . All classes have shown a great attachment to 
us personally, and to the House, and amongst the common 
people — it goes home to them that our position does not 
separate us so very far from them, and that in death, dan- 
ger, and sorrow the palace and the hut are visited alike. 

So many deep and solemn lessons one learns in these 
times, and I believe all works together for good for those 
who believe in God. . . . 

December 2. 

So many pangs and pains come, and must yet for 
years to come. Still, gratitude for those left is so strong, 



374 THE END. 1878 

and indeed resignation entire and complete to a higher will; 
and so we all feel together, and encourage each other. Life 
is not endless in this world, God be praised ! There is much 
joy — but oh ! so much trial and pain ; and, as the number 
of those one loves increases in Heaven, it makes our passage 
easier — and home is there ! 

Ever your loving child, 

Alice. 

December 6. 

Louis and Ernie will go out in a shut carriage to- 
day, though it rains — but it is warm. Louis' strength 
returns so slowly. Of course he shups the return to life, 
where our loss will be more realised ; to him, shut off so 
long, it is more like a dream. I am so thankful they were 
all spared the dreadful realities I went through — and alone. 
My cup seemed very full, and yet I have been enabled to 
bear it. But daily I must struggle and pray for resignation ; 
it is a cruel pain, and one that will last years, as I know 

but too well. 

Ever your loving child, 

A. 

Amongst the last letters from the Grand Duchess is one 
written on the 6th of December, instructing Prince Ernest's 
new tutor in his duties. Princess Alice wished her son to be- 
come a truly good man in every sense of the word — upright, 
truthful, courageous, unselfish, ready to help others, 
modest and retiring. She wished his tutor to encourage 
in him fear of God and submission to His will, a high 
sense of duty, a feeling of honour and of truth. 

It had been settled that as soon as the convalescent 
patients were able to be moved, the whole Grand Ducal 



1878 THE END. 375 

family should go to Heidelberg for thorough change of 
air. 

On the 7th of December the Grand Duchess went to the 
railway station to see the Duchess of Edinburgh, who was 
passing through Darmstadt on her way to England. That 
night she first complained of feeling ill ; and on the follow- 
ing morning the unmistakable symptoms of diphtheria had 
begun to show themselves. It is supposed that she must 
have taken the infection, when one day, in her grief and 
despair, she had laid her head on her sick husband's pillow. 
During the first day of her illness she settled several things, 
and gave various orders in case of her death. Still it was 
evident that she thought she would recover. 

She bore her great sufferings with wonderful patience, 
and was most obedient to everything the doctors ordered 
her to do, however painful and trying. Those were terrible 
days ! How much so to her is apparent from short sen- 
tences which from time to time she wrote down on slips of 
paper. Everything was done to alleviate her sufferings 
— everything to encourage her. The high fever which set 
in at the commencement of the illness did not decrease on 
the third day as in the previous cases, though her sufferings 
were perhaps not so great. At times she was very restless 
and distressed. In the night of the 12th of December she 
gave many directions to her mother-in-law, and to her lady- 
in-waiting. At times, too, she spoke in the most touching 
manner about her household, also enquiring kindly after 
poor and sick people in the town. Then followed hours of 
great prostration. 



376 THE END. 1878 

On the morning of the 13th of December the doctors could 
no longer disguise from the Grand Duke that their efforts to 
save that beloved life were in vain. As the danger increased, 
the Grand Duchess expressed herself as feeling better. She 
received her mother-in-law that afternoon in the most 
affectionate manner ; also saw her lady-in-waiting ; and 
when the Grand Duke entered her room her joy was most 
evident. She even read two letters — the last one being 
from her mother. After some hours of heavy sleep she 
woke perfectly conscious and took some nourishment. She 
then composed herself to rest, saying, ' Now I will go to 
sleep again.' And out of this sleep she woke no more. 

Shortly after 1 a.m. on the 14th of December, a change 
took place which left no doubt to those around that that 
precious life was fast ebbing away. When, a little later on, 
Princess Charles went into the Grand Duke's room, who 
was then asleep, she had left the Grand Duchess perfectly 
unconscious. It required no words of his mother's to break 
the news to him. 

At half past eight that morning Princess Alice died 
peacefully, murmuring to herself, like a child going to 
sleep, ' From Friday to Saturday — four weeks — May — dear 
Papa ! ' 

It was exactly to the day foin- weeks since Princess 
May's death, and seventeen years since the death of the 
Prince Consort. On the following Tuesday evening, the 17th 
of December, after a solemn service held by the English 
chaplain, the remains of the beloved Princess were quietly 
removed from her own palace to the chapel in the Grand 



1878 THE END. yj-] 

Ducal Castle. The next day, amidst the universal grief of 
high and low, the coffin was placed in the Mausoleum at the 
Rosenhohe. Her brothers, the Prince of Wales and Prince 
Leopold, were present. 

A beautiful recumbent monument by Boehm, represent- 
ing the Princess holding Princess May in her arms, is 
now i)laced in the Mausoleum over the spot where she 
rests. 



Concluding Remarks 



We must leave it to those who have read the preceding 
pages — mere chronicle of facts as they are — to form their 
own idea of the character and personahty of the Princess. 

Still, the disjointed manner in which the whole subject 
has been treated seems to call for a few more additional 
remarks. 

The world has long been acquainted with the outward 
appearance of the Princess — with the delicacy of her fea- 
tures, the sweetness of their expression, and the dignity and 
gracefulness of her every movement. Though so perfectly 
natural and simple in manner, she never forgot that she 
was a Princess. While she knew how to encourage and 
draw out those who, from timidity, kept themselves in the 
background, she also understood how, in a moment, to 
check anything like forwardness, and, where necessary, to 
silence presumption by a glance. 

Her conversation was bright and animated, passing 
rapidly from topic to topic, but always directed to subjects 
worth talking about. There was a certain distinction in the 
way she dealt even with minor matters of daily life. She 
spoke German with a slightly foreign accent, but with a 



382 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

power of idiomatic expression that seldom failed her, and 
showed how thoroughly she had mastered the genius of the 
language. 

Occupation was a necessity to her : she could not under- 
stand how anyone could be • idle. When at home, she 
always had some needlework at hand ready to take up. 

The Princess was singularly free from all prejudice, 
and always endeavoured to judge people according to their 
worth. 

It sometimes happened that she offended people by her 
independent views, but she never knowingly hurt anybody's 
feelings; innate generosity was a striking trait in her 
character. 

Frank and sincere herself to an unusual degree, she 
always encouraged others to be the same, and was most 
tolerant of well-grounded contradiction. 

In times of trouble and danger, when so much was ex- 
pected of her, her powers seemed to expand. It was in such 
moments that she really showed the master-spirit, which 
remains calm and self-possessed when all around lose their 
heads. 

The Princess took the deepest interest in the personal 
welfare of all around her, even to the humblest of her 
servants. This interest was shown by many small services, 
seldom rendered to their servants by masters or mistresses. 

With all her appreciation of the purely theoretical and 
scientific aspect of things, she was naturally of a very prac- 
tical turn of mind. She had few equals in her love and 
talent for organising, for communicating her own ideas to 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 383 

those around her, and m turn bemg animated by the views 
of others. Thus it was that she expected not a Httle from 
those about her, and might almost have given the impres- 
sion of a very restless nature, had not this activity been 
counterbalanced by an unceasing perseverance in carrying 
out and adhering to what she had once undertaken. 

To become acquainted with great men of every profes- 
sion, whether scholars, artists, or men of science, was a 
real pleasure to her. She loved to gain an insight into 
their thoughts and views, and proved herself a very German 
in her admiration and appreciation of serious scientific work. 

Among the arts music and painting were those she 
loved the best, and cultivated the most. In both she was 
far ahead of even distinguished amateurs. Her drawing 
was free, firm, and bold ; she had a decided talent for com- 
position, and was rich in inventive power. She had a 
wonderful eye for colour, and was especially successful in 
water-colours. 

She was an excellent musician, and played extremely 
well. Few could read and understand difficult pieces at 
sight as the Princess did. In music, as in all the arts, her 
taste was rather severe. She had a great predilection for 
the classical school. Bach, Beethoven and Schumann, 
Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms were her especial 
favourites. 

In theatrical performances she disliked empty show and 
splendour — the mere decoration of pieces for the love of 
decoration. She believed in the ennobling influence of the 
representation of sound classical works. 



384 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

Her whole being mentally and morally was concentrated 
in her children and their education, and in this she showed 
herself to be a thorough woman. She endeavoured to 
make them feel the worth and greatness of both the nations 
to which they belonged by birth. She was apt to be more 
severe in her criticisms of the German mode of education 
and of moral training than of that of her own country. 
That this should have been so is easily to be explained. 
In Germany her life and work were not easy, and she knew 
that it would take time before her endeavours for the wel- 
fare of her adopted country met with recognition, whilst in 
England, the country of her birth and her affection, to 
which she clung with ever-increasing reverence and devo- 
tion, she knew she was ever becoming more beloved. 

Still, being so thoroughly English as she was, we cannot 
but say that much that was best and finest in her character 
must be considered as the inheritance of her German father. 
A nature such as the Princess's could not help coming into 
contact with many deep and serious questions, in which 
religion alone could help her. 

The traces of perfect trust in God, and entire submis- 
sion to His will, will be found throughout her letters. We 
know that at one time she wavered in her convictions. 
Although she never doubted the value of practical religion, 
although she ever turned to her Bible for help and comfort 
in hours of distress and anxiety, she had to wrestle heart 
and soul with theoretical doubts. It seems to have been a 
struggle of many years' duration, at the commencement and 
end of which personal influences played a great part. 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 385 

We are indebted to an intimate friend and relation of 
Princess Alice's for the following communication, which is 
in accord with the observations of others who knew 
her : — 

* After her son's death I thought I observed a change in 
her feelings. Before that time she had often expressed 
openly her doubts as to the existence of God — had allowed 
herself to be led away by the free -thinking philosophical 
views of others. After Prince Fritz died she never spoke 
in such a way again. She remained silent while a trans- 
formation was quietly going on within, of which I afterwards 
was made aware, under the influence of some hidden power. 
It seemed as if she did not then like to own the change 
that had come over her. 

' Some time afterwards she told me herself, in the most 
simple and touching manner, how this change had come 
about. I could not listen to her story without tears. The- 
Princess told me she owed it all to her child's death, and to. 
the influence of a Scotch gentleman, a friend of the Grand 
Duke's and the Grand Duchess's, who was residmg with his. 
family at Darmstadt. 

* "I owe all to this kind friend," she said, ''who exer- 
cised such a beneficial influence on my religious views ; yet 
people say so much that is cruel and unjust of him, and 
of my acquaintance with him." At another time she said, 
" The whole edifice of philosophical conclusions which I had 
built up for myself, I find to have no foundation whatever ; 
nothing of it is left ; it has crumbled away like dust. What 
should we be, what would become of us, if we had no faith, 
if we did not believe that there is a God who rules the 
world and each single one of us ? " "I feel the necessity 

c c 



386 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

of prayer ; I love to sing hymns with my children, and we 
have each our favourite hymn." ^ 

* I remember observing that her table in her room was 
covered with religious books in all languages. Some of 
them she recommended to me.' 

The German Protestant form of worship did not satisfy 
her. Her own English liturgy, with its fine simple prayers 
and benedictions, with its many appointed lessons from 
Holy Writ — the Old Testament especially — with its sermons 
•confined to a limited time, pleased her more. At the same 
time she always acknowledged with gratitude and admira- 
tion that the great spiritual hero who was the first to 
demand as a right absolute sincerity in the life of faith, 
and so brought on the Preformation, was a German. 

The Princess had a very wide knowledge of history. 
Her political opinions were independent, entirely free from 
party prejudice, and based on the principle she had imbibed 
from her father — that Princes exist for the w^elfare of their 
j)eople. 

Future generations must ever acknowledge how the 
Princess Alice throughout her life strove to fulfil the saying 
of her favourite hero in history, * the great Fritz ' (Frederic 
the Great, in his Antimachiavell) : ' The rulers of nations 
must set the example of virtue to the world.' 

^ This memorandum does not go far enougii. The Princess returned to 
the faith in which she was reared, and died in it, a devout Christian. 



Appendix 



c c 2 



[The beautiful sketch which follows appeared in the 
Daryiistddter Zeitung, dated * Christmas Eve, 1878 ; and 
the annexed translation of it, by Sir Theodore Martin, 
apjjeared a few days afterwards in the Ti7nes.'] 

A WATCHEK BY THE DEAD. 

Long, long before daybreak on one of those gloomy De- 
cember days of last week an officer made his way hurriedly 
along the empty, silent streets of the capital. He was in 
full uniform, but its pomp and splendour were shrouded in 
a thick covering of crape, for he was afoot thus early to do 
duty by the bier of the beloved Princess. Desolate were 
the streets, as of a city of the dead; desolate as though 
tenanted only by the dead was the lordly palace to which 
he bent his steps. The sentinels at the great gate stood 
motionless, despite the severe cold, as if they feared to dis- 
turb the repose of death. Here, where the inhabitants of 
the capital used to see all astir with the busy, cheerful life 
inseparable from the residence of a reigning Prince ; here, 
where in days but recently gone by children, blooming and 
beautiful, the country's pride and the joy of their princely 
parents, gave animation to house and garden, all was silent 
and void ; a deadly blast had swept over the till now so 



390 



APPENDIX. 



happy home. The country's young, idoHsed mother had 
closed her beautiful eyes, closed them for evermore, after 
domg and endurmg nobly, after tasting the bitterness of 
great earthly sorrow. Many long and woeful days, many 
nights of even greater anguish, had she watched, trembled, 
and prayed by the couch of a husband sick unto death, and 
of five children beloved past telling. The sweet, youngest 
bud in the fair wreath of princely children had been torn 
from her bleeding heart, and tears — scalding tears — for the 
sweet little May-blossom, which she had herself put to its 
last sleep under chaplets of flowers, flowed fast, as she 
folded her hands in gratitude, when the peril of death had 
passed over the heads of her husband and her other children. 
' Thus do we learn humility ! ' she said, with quivering lip, 
to a lady who stood beside her. ' God has called for one 
life, and has given me back five for it ; how, then, should 
I mourn ? ' And now, when, with fear and trembling, joy 
seemed about to enter once more into that heavily- stricken 
home, again the dark pinions of the Angel of Death were 
heard upon the air, and he bore away the truest of wives, 
the most loving of mothers, a sacrifice to duty fulfilled with 
the noblest forgetfulness of self. These were the thoughts 
with which the solitary wayfarer went upon his sorrowful 
way, and crossed the threshold of the chamber of death. 
With light step and whispered words the watchers by the 
dead whom he relieved withdrew. 

Overwhelmed by the majesty of death, which met him 
here in its most sombre form, the new comer bent his head 
and continued long in silent prayer. The Princess lay on 
a bier in the great hall on the ground floor, where she had 
so often sat surrounded by a radiant circle of guests. What 
of her was earthly, cased in a triple cerement, was covered 
with a pall of black velvet, which, however, was almost hid 



APPENDIX. 39J 

from view beneath a mass of flowers and palms. Upon the 
head of the coffin stood a httle, simple crucifix of perfect 
artistic workmanship. Six torches on pedestals, hung with 
black, stood round the bier, shedding but a feeble glimmer 
through the hall, scarcely brighter, indeed, than the scanty 
light of the dawning winter day. From the wall opposite 
the coffin the youthful image of her husband, painted in 
happier times, looked sadly down upon the loved one lost. 
Directly opposite hung the picture which the Hessian 
Division had had painted for their much-loved leader, in 
remembrance of the glorious day of Gravelotte — a picture 
of battle and of the wild melee of slaughter in the silent 
chamber of death. He who now watched by the coffin had 
played a part in the conflict of the memorable day which 
the picture was meant to perpetuate, and he knew how 
deeply it was interwoven with the life of the Princess who 
lay there in her long last sleep. Her dear husband had 
gone to the campaign with his faithful Hessians ; she knew 
his precious life to be in hourly danger ; but her own 
sorrows and cares were not her first thought. Helpful, 
comforting, encouraging, she gave at all times to those who 
were left behind a brilliant example of cheerful and devoted 
courage ; and when the wounded and sick came back from 
the battlefields in ever-increasing numbers, she it was who 
everywhere took the lead with noblest self-abnegation and 
practical good sense. By the beds of the sick and dying 
she stood like a comforting angel, and the love of the 
Hessian people twined the fairest of all diadems, the 
aureole of the heroine, round her princely brows. 

This grateful love, not only of those who bore arms, but 
of the citizen and artisan as well, for which these things 
laid the foundation, was now sincerely and unconstrainedly 
busy beside the bier of the princely sleeper. Servants came. 



392 APPENDIX. 

with loads of wreaths and bouquets, and arranged them 
upon the coffin. But it was not the official tributes of 
flowers from Court and noble, from the deputations of regi- 
ments far and near, which were laid as a mournful homage 
at the feet of the dead mistress, that touched most deeply 
the heart of him who stood there on guard. No, the tear 
that stole down unbidden, the little trivial gift of the poor 
and humble who lived far away from Court favour, had a 
greater value in his eyes. It was still quite early morning 
when, with the first glimmer of day, came an old peasant 
woman from the Odenwald. Advancing timidly, she laid, 
with a murmured prayer, a little wreath of rosemary, with 
a couple of small white flowers, perhaps the only ornament 
of her poor little room at home, as a token of grateful affec- 
tion down upon the velvet pall. Then, thinking herself 
unnoticed, she took a rosebud from one of the splendid 
wreaths, and hid it under the old woollen dress. Who 
could interfere to balk the impulse of genuine affection, that 
longed to carry off some slight memorial with it ? And 
now the little flower is lying between the leaves of the old 
Bible, and in days to come the matron, when she turns the 
leaves of the sacred volume, will tell her daughters and 
granddaughters of the noble lady, too early snatched away 
from her people — of her, who never forgot the poorest and 
the humblest of them all. 

Anon appeared the bearer of one of the proudest names 
in Hesse, who was attached to the personal service of the 
Princess. The official, stalwart bearing of the courtier was 
left outside, and, weeping hot unhidden tears, he lingered 
long by the bier. To what a lofty soul, to what goodness 
of heart, was he saying here a bitter farewell ! He was 
followed by two little girls, poorly but cleanly dressed, and 
they, too, brought their tribute of gratitude — two little 
bunches of violets. Shyly, almost frightened, and yet with 



APPENDIX. 393 

childish curiosity, they drew slowly nearer. They thought 
of another winter day, some years ago. Hungry, chilled 
to the heart, they were sitting in an empty attic ; their 
parents were dead, and they ate among strangers bread 
that was hard and grudgingly given, when that great lady 
appeared who was now sleeping here under the flowers. 
From her, whose heart was ever yearning to the orphan's 
cry, they heard again, for the first time, gentle, loving 
words ; by her provision was quickly made for their more 
kindly treatment, and gratitude was rooted firmly and for 
ever in their young souls. 

A deputation from the Court Theatre laid upon the 
coffin a wreath intertwined with pale pink streamers. Art, 
too, had come to mourn for her noblest patroness, who had 
been ever ready with her fine, cultivated intelligence to 
advance whatever v/as great and good. A servant brought 
a beautiful cross, of dark foliage with white flowers. It 
was the gift of the Grand Duke's mother, anxious to testify 
by an outward sign her love for her dead daughter. In 
ever-growing numbers came the mourners, all visibly op- 
pressed by the weight of the calamity which had fallen upon 
the country. Countless were the gifts of love, of gratitude, 
of respect, which, now beautiful and costly, now slight and 
simple, arched ever higher and higher the hill of flowers 
above the coffin. The ladies of the neighbouring towns 
sent cushions of dark violets, with chaplets of white flowers. 
Two ladies deeply veiled brought branches of palm, from 
the dark green of which gleamed a white scroll — a poetic 
farewell word of deep feeling : — 

A hurricane, charged with destruction, 
palm, swept o'er thee. The squall 

Crash'd through thy leaves, and tore from thee 
The tenderest, sweetest of all. 



394 APPENDIX. 

The clouds clear'd away in the distance, 

The tempest seem'd over and past, 
When forth from the firmament darted 

A lightning-bolt, fiery and fast. 

It struck thee, noble one, struck thee ! 

It crush'd thee, and now thou art gone ! 
Farewell ! To our death-day thine image 

Still, still in our hearts shall live on. 

There was a second poem, enclosed in a heart-shaped 
framework of leaves, which gave expression to the grief of 
a devoted soul for the high-hearted lady. 

But now the hour w^as come for another to take the 
post of honour by the bier of the Princess. Silently and 
sadly the two men saluted. He that left took away with 
him a deep and elevating impression of the general love and 
respect paid by the people of Hesse to their too-early de- 
parted Princess, and the remembrance of that silent watch 
b}' the dead will remain in his memory for ever. And he 
who now entered on that honourable duty could chronicle 
proofs of genuine grief, of true reverence and love, not 
fewer nor less touching. Whosoever is thus bewept has 
secured the best and fairest memorial in the hearts of her 
own people for all time — ' The remembrance of the just 
abideth in blessing.' 



APPENDIX. 395 

Nothing could show better than this touching narrative, 
how deep and how widespread was the grief for the death 
of the Princess throughout the country which had so 
recently hailed her as its Sovereign. Not less deep and 
universal was the sorrow with which the sad intelligence 
was received in her native land. She had long been dear 
to all hearts there ; for the fame of her many admirable 
qualities as daughter, sister, wife, and mother had pene- 
trated into every household. The news that her life was 
in peril had awakened the deepest sympathy ; and when 
the anniversary of the death of the father she had loved so 
well brought the tidings of her own death, there were few 
homes on which it did not cast a shadow as for the loss of 
one that was personally dear. The journals teemed with 
expressions of the national grief, each vieing with the other 
in paying affectionate tribute to the worth of one whose 
name had long been familiar and cherished on the lips of 
her countrymen and countrywomen, and in assurances of 
sj^mpathy to the Queen, and the loving hearts of her 
kindred, on whom this great calamity had fallen. 

It may not be out of place to insert here, as an example 
of these, what was written out of a full heart on the day of 
the Prmcess's death by the hand which had not yet con- 
cluded the task of tracing the Life of the Prince Consort, 
in which the Princess had all along taken the keenest 
interest. The letters printed in this volume afford the 
amplest proof of the justice of the estimate which the writer 
had formed of the gifted and devoted woman whose heart 
is there laid bare for our study and instruction. 



396 APPENDIX. 

' Oil, sir, the good die first, 
And those whose hearts are dry as summer dust 
Burn to the socket.' — Wordsivorth. 

December 14, 1878. 

On the 14th of Decemher, seventeen years ago, a great 
sorrow fell upon England in the death of the Prince 
Consort, who, if he did not die too soon for his own happi- 
ness and fame, died at least, as all now feel, too soon for 
England. That memorable 14th of December has again 
come romid, and again a great sorrow has fallen upon the 
country. The Princess has been taken to her rest, who 
watched and soothed the Prince Consort in the last days of 
his fatal illness, and who by her fortitude and noble devo- 
tion helped materially, though then but a girl of seventeen, 
to sustain and comfort the widowed Queen in her measureless 
affliction. For the first time a breach — and such a breach — 
has been made in that family circle to which all who had 
the privilege to know it looked as the happiest in England 
— happiest, because mutual love and esteem bound all its 
members together by ties knit in childhood and never 
broken, and because the noble activity for good which had 
been set before them in the example of their parents kept 
their hearts fresh and their minds ever open. She who, 
while yet a girl, was called to play a woman's part by her 
father's deathbed, has been the first to follow him into the 
Silent Land. 

No life could have opened more auspiciously than that of 
the second daughter of our Eoyai house. ^ From the first 

^ ' She is a pretty and large baby, and we think will be la Beauts of the 
family.' — The Queen to King Leopold, 9th May, 1843. 

' Om' little baby, whom I am really proud of, for she is so very forward 
for her age, is to be called Alice, an old English name ; and the other names 
are to be MaiLcl (another old English name, and the same as Matilda), and 



APPENDIX. 397 

she gave great promise of beauty and of intelligence. The 
fine old English names of Alice and Maud, selected for her 
by her happy parents, seemed, as names sometimes do, to be 
particularly fitted to the winning, open character of her fair 
and finely-formed features, and their sound was one pleasant 
in the mouths, not only of those to whom she was known, 
but of the people, as she grew up and was seen in public by 
the eager and kindly eyes to whom the sight of the Eoyal 
children has always been welcome. 

When the marriage of the Princess Eoyal took place in 
1858, the Princess Alice was still only a girl of fifteen ; but 
she had already developed qualities of mind and heart of 
no ordinary kind. She came by degrees to fill up in some 
measure the vacancy which had been created by the remo- 
val of her very gifted sister to Berlin. Naturally she was 
drawn nearer to the Prince Consort ; and the influence of 
his character and the teachings of his affectionate wisdom 
sank deeply into her pure and highly intellectual nature. 
He looked forward to her future with the assurance that she 
would prove all he could wish a daughter to be. She, on 
the other hand, loved him with a devotion only tempered by 
profound reverence for the great qualities which she could 
then, perhaps, but dimly appreciate, but the true extent and 
worth of which her own subsequent experience and reflection 
taught her more thoroughly to measure. When in later 
years she spoke of the Prince, one saw that, as Ben Jonson 
said of Shakespeare, ' she honoured his memory, on this 
side idolatry, as much as any.' 

The teaching of that beloved father was put to the proof 

Mary, as she was born on Aunt Gloucester's birthday.' — The same io the 
same, 16th May, 1843. 

' Our christening went off very brilliantly, and I wish you could have 
witnessed it. Nothing could be more anstdiidig, and little Alice behaved 
extremely well.' — The same to the same, 6th June, 1843. 



398 APPENDIX. 

in those sad days of patient watching which preceded his 
death. Things were told at the time of the devotion and 
the marvellous self-control of the young girl, called so 
sternly and so suddenly to face death in the person of a 
father, on whose life that of the Queen herself seemed to 
depend, and whose counsels she knew to be of inestimable 
value to the nation. A few days after the Prince's death, 
she was spoken of by the Times in these noticeable words : 
* Of the devotion and strength of mind shown by the 
Princess Alice all through these trying scenes it is impos- 
sible to speak too highly. Her Eoyal Highness has, indeed, 
felt that it was her place to be a comfort and a support to 
her mother m her affliction, and to her dutiful care we may 
perhaps owe it that the Queen has borne her loss with 
exemplary resignation, and a composm-e which, under so 
sudden and terrible a bereavement, could not have been 
anticipated.' The knowledge of this fact — and it was a fact 
— sank deeply into people's minds. It was never forgotten, 
and from that day the name of the Princess Alice has been a 
cherished household word to all her countrymen and women. 
When, in 1862, she married the husband of her choice 
— a man whose sterling worth and manliness had satisfied 
even the critical judgment of parents jealous for the happi- 
ness of a daughter so justly dear — the affectionate good 
wishes of the Queen's subjects of all grades went with her to 
her new home. In that home, brightened and ennobled as 
it was by her presence, her love for the home and country 
of her youth burned with a steady and ever-deepening glow. 
It is only those who know how strong is the mutual love by 
which the children of Queen Victoria are bound to their 
parent and to each other, who can appreciate the pas ionate 
yearning towards England of the Princesses whose homes 
have been made elsewhere. England and all its interests 



APPENDIX. 



399 



held a foremost place in the heart of the Princess Alice ; 
and no one watched more closely every phase of the change- 
ful life of the busy land, which she loved and reverenced as 
the home of liberty and the pioneer of civilisation. 

While fulfilling with exemplary devotion every duty as a 
wife and mother, the process of self-culture was never re- 
laxed. Every refined taste was kept alive by fresh study, 
fresh practice, fresh observation ; neither was any effort 
spared to keep abreast with all that the best intellects of the 
time were adding to the stores of invention, of discovery, of 
observation, and of thought. Each successive year taught 
her better to estimate the value of the principles in religion, 
in morals, and in politics in which she had been trained. 
As her knowledge of the world and of man grew, she could 
see the wide range of fact upon which they were based, and 
their fitness as guides amid the perplexing experiences of 
human life, which, however seemingly varied in different 
epochs, are ever essentially the same. Then the signifi- 
cance of the Prince Consort's habit of judging everything 
by some governing principle, and working always by strict 
method, became clear to her ; and in a letter written in 
January 1875, of which a copy is before us, the Princess 
writes with her accustomed modesty : ' Living with thinking 
and cultivated Germans, much in Papa has explained itself 
to me, which formerly I could less understand, or did not 
appreciate so much as I ought to have done.' 

She inherited much of her father's practical good sense, 
and, like him, was ever ready to take part in any well- 
directed effort for raising the condition of the toilworn and 
the poor. How much of their misery, nay, of their evil 
ways, was due to their wretched habitations, she, like him, 
felt most keenly ; and she gave her sympathy and support 
to every effort for their improvement. With this view she 



400 APPENDIX. 

translated into German some of Miss Octavia Hill's essays 
On the Homes of the London Poor, and published them with 
a little preface of her own (to which only her initial A. was 
affixed), in the hope that the principles, which had been 
successfully applied in London by Miss Hill and her coad- 
jutors, might be put into action in some of the German 
cities. No good work appealed to her in vain. The great 
exemplar of her father was always before her ; and in the 
letter from which we have already quoted she speaks of his 
life * spent in the highest aims, and with the noblest con- 
ception of duty,' as a ' leading star ' to her own. 

That sense of duty carried her to the bedside of the 
Prince of "Wales when, at the end of 1871, he was struck 
down at Sandringham by the fell disease under which his 
father had sunk. There she fulfilled the same priceless 
offices which she had ten years before discharged at Wind- 
sor Castle. It pleased Heaven to spare her a renewal of 
the great affliction of 1861 ; and in the very days of Decem- 
ber in which we are now living the life of the much-loved 
brother, which had been well-nigh despaired of, came slowly 
back to requite her affection, and in answer to her prayers. 

The trials of that time came, before the exhaustion had 
passed away both of body and mind which the Princess had 
undergone during the Franco-German war. Separated — 
and for the second time — by war from the Prince of Hesse, 
who was away in the thickest of the perils of that campaign, 
she was not a woman to give herself up to morbid brooding 
on the pangs and apprehensions under which, devoted wife 
as she was, she yet could not fail to suffer most acutely, for 
her feelings were warm, and her imagination active beyond 
that of most women. In the hospital at Darmstadt, crowded 
with the soldiers, French as well as German, who had come 
from the battlefields maimed and racked with pain, she 



APPENDIX. 401 

waa foremost with her bright intelhgence, her helpful sym- 
pathy, and her tender hand, in soothing pain, and inspir- 
ing that sense of manly gratitude which is the best of 
panaceas to a soldier's sick-bed. What she was and what 
she did at that time have embalmed her image in many a 
heart, and will make the tears flow thick and fast in many 
manly eyes at the thought of the death of one so 3^oung, so 
good, so gifted, and so fair. To her it was merely duty — 
duty to be done at every cost ; but how much it had cost 
to that finely touched spirit and to that delicate womanly 
frame might be read, by all who could look below the surface, 
in the deep) earnestness of her eyes and the deeper earnest- 
ness of her thoughts. The pain of that terrible period 
would not let itself be forgotten even in the gratitude which 
she felt for the providence which restored her beloved hus- 
band to her side, and for the realisation of her father's 
cherished dream of an United Germany, which had been 
purchased by the valour and the sufferings of its sons. 

The Princess's fortitude had already been severely tried 
in the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866. Hesse- 
Darmstadt was engaged upon the side of Austria, and her 
husband. Prince Louis, took the field with the troops of the 
Principality. At the very time his third daughter, the 
Princess Irene, was born, he was with the army ; and the 
Princess Alice knew he was under fire but was unable 
to get any tidings from him. The victorious Prussians 
marched into Darmstadt, while the Princess, newly made 
a mother, was still confined to her room. 

Of the sad aspects of life it had been her destiny to see 
much — as daughter, as sister, and as woman. In June 
1873, a terrible calamity fell upon her as a mother. A 
child — one especially beloved — climbing to an open window 
in a room adjoining that in which she was, lost its balance, 

D D 



402 APPENDIX. 

and was killed almost before her eyes, as she rushed in 
terror to call him back. This, too, had to be borne. It 
was borne nobly, and with Christian resignation. But such 
shocks tell upon the vital powers, and some trace of what 
had been ' undergone and overcome ' seemed to be visible 
long afterwards in a perceptible bodily languor, and in a more 
spiritual beauty which had passed into her expressive face. 

The thought of this sent an anxious thrill through the 
hearts of many, when it became known that the Princess 
was herself seized by the terrible malady which had pro- 
strated her husband and five of her children, and taken from 
her the youngest of them all — the youngest, the brightest, 
the idol of her other children.^ She had nursed them all 
through their time of danger, and now, spent with w^atching 
and anxiety as she was, the malady had laid its fatal clutch 
upon herself. She that had cared and thought for all was 
soon past all human care to save. Thus she died as she 
had lived, devoted, self-sacrificing, purified by great pain 
and great love — a model daughter — wife — mother. 

Of the loss of such a woman to the husband to whom she 
w^as the all-in-all, to the children to whose love she will 
respond no more, to the mother in whose thoughts she is 
interwoven with the sweetest, the saddest, the most sacred 
memories, to the brothers and sisters whom she loved and 
who loved her so truly, so tenderly, who dare trust himself 
to speak ? It must be long before the grief can be assuaged, 
under which all these must now be suffering — before the 

' The struggle to conceal from the other children that their favourite 
was dead cost the Princess, down to the time of her own fatal seizure, such 
a daily and almost hourly effort as, in her weak state, she was ill able to 
bear. Her sufferings during her short illness, which lasted less than a 
week, were borne with exemplary patience, and an unselfish and even cheer- 
ful spirit which were truly admirable. The day before she died, she ex- 
pressed to Sii* William Jenner her regret that she should cause her mother 
so much anxiety. 



APPENDIX. 403 

* Idea of her life can sweetly creep,' as something hallowed, 

* into their study of imagination ; ' but the day will come 
when they will bless God, that theirs was a wife, a daughter, 
a sister, a mother, so good, so noble, and that, having fought 
her fight on earth valiantly, yet meekly, she has gone where 
there is no more sorrow, nor crying, and where the great 
mysteries of life alone find their solution. 

Theodore Martin. 



Of the many beautiful tributes in verse to the worth of 
the Princess, which appeared in England immediately after 
her death, none spoke the prevailing feeling more truly than 
the following : — 

IN MEMOKIAM 
Princess Alice : died December 14, 1878. 

Death's shadow falls across the Palace door, 
His fingers trace our dear Princess's doom ; 
* She will awake no more ; ah ! never more ! ' 

And through the murky night the big bells boom. 

But in the gray of morning hope appears. 

And treading in death's footprints entrance seeketh 

Where lonely grief is weeping bitter tears, 

And whispers low — * She being dead yet speaketh.' 

And at the voice of Hope the black clouds break, 

And through the rift there shines God's glorious light ; 

And we who mourn look up and solace take 

As those to whom comes day — dawn after night. 

' She being dead yet speaketh ' — all may hear 
The message left us by her lovely life 
In deeds that live, in actions that endear, 
As Princess, sister, daughter, mother, wife ! 

D D 2 



404 APPENDIX. 

Tlie fierce rude liglit that beats upon a throne 
For which so many royal heads are hid, 

Served but to make her worth more widely known, 
To glorify the acts of grace she did. 

A favourite sister ! She the love had earn'd 
Her brothers and her sisters for her felt, 

By her devotion which had brightest burn'd 

When with disease and threatening death she dealt. 

A darling daughter ! 'Tis the Queen alone 
Can know the secret of that awful time, 

When at the father's side by her were shown 
A faith and constancy alike sublime. 

A doting mother ! What could she do more 
Than for her little one her life lay down ? 

No heroine than this could higher soar — 
No grander deed a noble life could crown ! 

A perfect wife ! The heavy veil of grief 

Back from the stricken hearth we will not draw, 

Save but to say her life, alas ! too brief, 

Her husband found without one spot or flaw. 

Then let not grief persuade us she is dead ; 

She has but left us for a fairer shore ; 
And though her spirit heavenwards may have fled, 

Her influence remains for evermore. 

Teuth. 



INDEX. 



ABERGELDIE 

A BERaELDIE, 12 

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, 18, 42, 
43 ; his marriage, 44 ; birth of son, 65 ; visit 
to Darmstadt, 77 ; at Kranicbstein, 109 ; and 
Darmstadt, 154, 156 ; at Kranichstein again, 
209, 219 ; illness of, at Sandriugbam, 258 ; 
at Bram's Hill Park Camp, 272 ; Princess 
Alice with bim at Sandringbam on bis 
birthday, 1871, 274; sponsor to Princess 
Victoria of Hesse, 275 ; recovery from dan- 
gerous illness, 288 ; at Eome ,: 301, Prin- 
cess Alice's opinion of constancy of bis 
friendship, 331 ; visit of Prince and Princess 
of Hesse to, 332 

Albert, Prince Consort, 3 ; character of, 4, 5 ; 
his direction of education of Princess Alice, 
13; illness and death, 17; bust of, by Mr. 
Tbeed, and statue of, by Marochetti, 31 ; his 
Addresses and Speeches, 36 ; first anniversary 
of his birthday, 38 ; remains placed in Mau- 
soleum, 43 ; his farm book, 54, 57 ; letters 
by Princess Alice on anniversary of his 
death, 63, 79, 80 ; his statue at Coburg, 82 ; 
admiration of Mendelssohn's Elijah, 88 ; 
of Schiller's Braut von Messina, 121, 165 ; 
Raphael Collection by, 169 ; review of his 
Life, 183 ; cast of, 211 ; statuette of, 240 ; 
likenesses of, 153, 157, 299; Hyde Park 
Memorial, 312 ; his name the last on Prin- 
cess Alice's lips, 376 

Aldershot, 124, 272 

Alengon, Duke of, 108 

Alexandra, Princess of Wales, marriage of, 44 ; 
visit to Princess Alice, at Darmstadt, 77 ; at 
Kranichstein, 109 ; illness of, 167 ; sponsor 
to Princess Victoria Alix of Hesse, 275 

Alfred, Prince, (Duke of Edinburgh), with 
Queen at Coburg, 45, 82 ; accompanies Dr, 
Macleod to Darmstadt, 79 ; visits Princess 
Alice at Seeheim, 98 ; invests Grand Duke 



ALICE 

of Hesse with Garter, 100 ; engagement to 
Princess Marie, 308 ; at christening of 
Princess Marie of Hesse, 314 ; his wedding, 
317, 343 
Alice Maud Mary, Princess of Hesse, her birth 
and christening, 3 ; Lady Lyttelton's ac- 
count of, 6 ; her first journeys, 8 ; theatrical 
performances, 9 ; friendship wdth, and im- 
pression made on, Princess Louise of Prussia, 
9, 10 ; her Confirmation, 13, 14 ; and be- 
trothal, 15 ; conduct of at time of Prince 
Consort's death, 18, 19 ; marriage, 20, 21 ; 
reception at Darmstadt, 25, 26 ; return to 
England, 27 ; letters from, and impressions 
of, her new home, life there, 27-42 ; second 
visit to England, 43 ; designs new palace, 
45 ; life at Ki-anichstein, 49-58 ; visit to 
Lich, 54 ; to Giessen, Marburg, and Prank- 
fort, 57 ; to England, 58 ; retui-n to Darm- 
stadt, 59 ; becomes Protectress of Heiden- 
reich Institution, 64 ; birth and christening 
of second daughter, 65, 78 ; visits to Gotha, 
Carlsruhe, and Munich, 65-72 ; visits Ber- 
lin, 85-7 ; meeting with Emperor and 
Empress of Russia, 95-98 ; arrangements 
for Queen's visit to Kranichstein, 104, 105 ; 
tour in Switzerland, 104-7 ; Scotch tour, 
stay at Sandringbam, return to Darmstadt, 
109, 110 ; letter on death of King Leopold, 
112 ; views as to Asylum for Idiots, success 
of Bazaar, 117,"118 ; birth of third daughter, 
119, 138 ; visit of, to the wounded in German 
war, 119 ; christening of Princess Irene, 120 ; 
first days in her new house, 124 ; parting from 
Prince, 135 ; letters on misery caused by 
■war, anxiety on account of Prince, 139-42 ; 
visits wounded, 144, 150 ; visits battlefields 
of Erohnhofen and Laufnach, 151 ; in bad 
health, 153 ; endeavours to found a Frauen- 
verein, 158 ; present at distribution of gifts 



4o6 



INDEX. 



ALICE 
to wounded, 159 ; President of the Erauen- 
verein, 162 ; committee for encouragement 
of female industry formed, and the Alice 
Bazaar established by, visits to Berlin and 
Paris, desires to found schools of design, 
163 ; visit to St. Moritz, to Mainau, and to 
Cassel, 164; anxiety about Princess of 
Wales, 167; visit to Switzerland, 174-82; 
anxiety on account of Prince Leopold, 192 ; 
suffering from neuralgia, 194; at Gotha 
with Crown Princess, 191, 197 ; in England, 
191, 201 ; apprehensions of war, 204 ; birth 
of eldest son, 205 ; visits Potsdam, Silesia, 
and Dresden, 208, 218 ; views on Irish 
Church question, 214; at Industrial Exhi- 
bition at Maj'ence ; Prince Louis' pro- 
posed visit to the East, 209, 221 ; at Cannes 
with Crown Princess, 208, 223 ; return to 
Darmstadt, 226 ; nurses Prince Louis and 
children through scarlet fever, 227, 237-9 ; 
acquaintance with Strauss, 227 ; readings 
with, dedication of his Life of Voltaire to, 
228-31 ; birth of Prince Erederick William, 
233, 235, 252; letters by, during Eranco- 
German war ; account of her life at Darm- 
stadt, 242-56 ; ordered to Berlin for change, 
236, 253 ; christening of Prince Erederick 
William, 257, 263, 264; meeting with her 
husband after the war, 257 ; peace illumina- 
tions at Darmstadt, 265 ; at Berlin on tri- 
umphant entry of troops, 267, 269 ; in 
England, 272-4 ; birth of Princess Alix, 279 ; 
at Kranichstein, anniversary of battle of 
Gravelotte, 281 ; at Baden for funeral of 
Princess Hohenlohe-Langenburg, 275, 284; 
General Assembly of charitable societies, 
276, 284 ; Ladies' Diet, her keen interest in, 
276, 277, 284, 285 ; present at unveiling of 
monument to Hessian soldiers, 211, 287 ; 
visit to Italy, 293, 294, 305 ; return to Darm- 
stadt, death of Prince Erederick, 295, 296, 
305 ; on the proper training of children, 
320, 328, 329; birth and christening of 
Princess Marie Victoria, 314, 323 ; conver- 
sation with Emperor of Eussia at Darm- 
stadt, 343 ; with Gortschakofi, 344 ; failing 
health, visit to Scotland, 345-7 ; death of 
father-in-law, 349, 352-4 ; illness and death 
of Grand Duke, 349, 354, 355 ; new responsi- 
bilities, 349, 350, 355 ; visit to Houlgate for 
rest and change, 356 ; her feelings regarding 
policy of Eussia, 357; enthusiastic recep- 
tion at Darmstadt, 350, 358 ; visits to the 
poor, incognita, 351 ; visit to Osborne, sum- 
mer at Eastbourne deep interest in charit- 



BADEN 

able institutions, visits to the poor, 364; 
to Albion Home at Brighton, consents to 
become patroness of it, 365, 366 ; illness of 
Princesses Victoria and Alix, 368 ; Princess 
Marie, Prince Ernest, and Grand Duke 
attacked with diphtheria ; universal sjrm- 
pathy with her, 369 ; death of Princess 
Marie, 370 ; her funeral, 371 ; attacked with 
diphtheria, 375 ; death, 376 ; funeral, 376, 
377 ; resumA of her character, tastes, talents-, 
political and religious views, &c., 381-6 ; 
sketch by one of the watchers by her coflan, 
389-94 ; sketch of her life and character by 
Sir Theodore Martin, 396-403; Poem, In 
Memoriam, 403, 404 

Alsleld, 56, 186, 214 

Altenburg, 56 

Altenburg, Duchess of, 47 

Altenburg, Duke of, 58 

Amelung, Emily, 93, 211, 238 

Amorbach, 62, 77, 100, 138 

Angeli, Heinrich von, 363, 367 

Antwerp, 27, 41, 71, 185 

Arneth, Herr von, 89 

Arthur, Prince (Duke of Connaught), visit of, 
to Darmstadt, 41 ; to Seeheim, 98 ; ill with 
small-pox, 184; his birthday (1868), 198; 
Col. Elphinstone's high opinion of, 202 ; at 
Berlin, 278 

Aschaffenburg, action at, 119, 138, 142, 150 

Ascot, 14 

Athens, 209 

Auboue, 248 

Auerbach, 27 ; letters from, 36-40 

Aumale, Lina, at St. Moritz, 176 

Austria, Emperor of, visit to Erankfort and 
EJranichstein, 57 ; 128 ; 130 ; 223 

Austria, Sophia, Archduchess of, 218 

Austria, William, Archduke of, 57 

Avignon, 225 



-p AALBEO, 209 

-^ Bach, 70, 278 

Baden, 40, 102, 159, 161, 187, 222, 275, 278 

Baden, Erederick, Grand Duke of, visit of 
Prince and Princess of Hesse to, 40 ; visit 
of, to Her Majesty, 42 ; meeting of Prince 
Louis and Princess Alice with, 79 ; troubles 
of, 155 ; visits of Prince and Princess of 
Hesse to, 156, 164; at St. Moritz, 176, 
181 ; his birthday, 184 ; at Darmstadt, 307; 
coming of age of his son, 338 ; death of, 
349 



INDEX. 



407 



BADEX 

Baden, Frederick William, Hereditary Grand 

Duke of, coming of age of, 332, 338 
Baden, Louise, Princess of Prussia, Grand 
Duchess of, her first impressions of Princess 
Alice, 9, 10 ; memorandum by, 18, 19 ; the 
Princess's visit to, 40 ; interest in Prauen- 
verein, 161 ; visits of Princess of Hesse to, 
on Island of Mainau, 164, 182, 310 ; at St. 
Moritz, 176 ; visit of, to Darmstadt, 307 ; 
receives Prince and Princess at Carlsruhe, 
338 
Baden, Princess of, 76 
Baden, Sophia, Grand Duchess of, 40 
Baden, William, Prince of, 76 
Baillie, Lady Prances, 54, 126, 156, 210, 297, 

309, 340, 342 
Baillie, Victoria, 297 

Balmoral, 45, 101, 109, 124, 147, 258, 280, 310 ; 
Princesses Victoria and Ella at, 337 ; Prin- 
cess Alice at, 347 
Barrington, Lady Caroline, 77, 129, 240 
Battenberg, Julia, Princess of, at Darmstadt 
with Princess of Hesse, 60 ; letter by, to 
Princess, 143 
Battenberg, Louis, Prince of, 320 
Bauer, Miss, 240, 317, 352 
Bavaria, Adalbert, Prince of, 59 
Bavaria, Ludwig I. of, his funeral, 195 
Bavaria, Ludwig II., King of, at Darmstadt, 

153 ; at Rome, 300 
Bavaria, Marie, Queen of, sister of Princess 
Charles, at Munich after her husband's 
death, 70, 208, 211, 217, 300 
Bavaria, Maximilian II., King of, 57; death 

of, 70 
Bavaria, Otto, Prince of, 300 
Bazaine, Marshal, 233 
Beatrice, Princess, 29 ; with Queen at Kranich- 

stein, 45, 72, 75, 87 ; illness of, 128 
Beck, Louis, 104, 222 

Becker, Dr., private secretary, 41, 49 ; visit of 

Princess Alice to, 60; christening of his 

daughter, 109 ; accompanies Prince Louis to 

Munich, 142 

Belgians, Leopold, Crown Prince of, death of, 

210, 325 
Belgians, Leopold, King of, letters by Her 
Majesty to, 4, 14, 396 ; his advice regarding 
Queen's removal to Osborne, 18 : his visit to 
Kranichstein, 76 ; his death, 82, 112, 113 
Belgians, Leopold II., King of, death of only 

son of, 210 
Belgians, Marie, Duchess of Brabant, after- 
wards Queen of. 111 
Bender, 44, 94, 124 



CLARKE 

Bergen, 208 

Berlin, triumphal entry of German troops 

into, June 16, 1871, 258, 269 ; Prince Louis 

invested with Order of Black Eagle at, 275 ; 

marriage of Princess Charlotte and Princess 

Elizabeth of Prussia at, 363 
Bermudez, Count, 294 
Bernard, Mademoiselle, 108 
Berry, Dr., 176 
Bessungen, 28 
Bismarck, Prince, 130, 339 
Blanche, Princess of Orleans, 108 
Blankeuberghe, 258, 270, 271, 314, 323 
Blucher, Countess, 40, 113, 153, 185, 215, 222 
Bologna, 300 
Bonin, General von, 197 
Bormio, 180 

Bram's Hill Park Camp, 272 
Brand, Victoria, 103 
Bretschneider, Carl Gottlieb, his manual of 

religion, 13 
Brown, Archibald, 193 
Brown, John, 33, 78, 84, 100, 203, 313 
Brown, Mrs., 325, 340, 343 
Brown's, John, sister, 185 
Brownlow, Lord and Lady, 274 
Bruce, General, 342 
Brunswick, Duke of, 57 
Buchner, Prliulein Louise, 163, 235, 316, 351 
Bunsen, Baroness, 9, 318, 334 



pAMBRIDGE, Duchess of, at Rumpenheim, 
^ 55 ; 73 ; at Prankf ort, 101, 221, 271 ; sponsor 

to Princess Alix of Hesse, 275 
Cambridge, George, Duke of, at Kranichstein, 
108 ; present of horse by, to Princess Alice, 
184 ; meets her at Prankfort, 221, 271 ; visit 
of Prince and Princess to Aldershot in com- 
pany with, 273; visits them at Prankfort, 
280 

Campbell, Lady Emma Augusta, sister of Duke 
of Argyll, 224 

Campbell, Lady Victoria, daughter of Duke of 
Argyll, 224 

Canning, Lord, 344 

Canterbury, Archbishop of, 3, 14, 20 

Carlyle, Mr., 347 

Carpenter, Miss Mary, 276, 285 

Chanzy, General, 236 

Chopin, 310 

Churchill, Lady, 30, 302 

Clarendon, Lord, 130, 241 

Clarke, Mrs., nurse, 167, 250, 379 



4o8 



INDEX. 



CLARK 

Claxk, Sir James, 42, 90; illness of, 197; his 

death, 241 
Coburg, 27, 34 ; Her Majesty's visit to, 45 ; 

unveiling of statue of Prince Consort at, 82 
Combe, Mrs. George, 42 
Convention, Geneva (1863), 161 
Convention with Prussia, 170 
Corbett, Annie, 53 
Corbett, Mr., 53, 55 
Cusins, Mr., 88 



"TvALHOUSIE, Lady Christian, 225 

Dalhousie, Lord, 224, 225 
Dalwigk, Dr. Eeinhard, 51 
Denmark, Christian IX., King of, 45 
Denmark, Frederick VII., King of, 45 
Derb.", Lord, 51 
Dives, old church at, 357 
Dunrobin, visit to, 273 

Durham, Beatrix Frances, Countess of, daugh- 
ter of Duke of Abercorn, 262 



"PASTBOTJENB, Princess Alice at, 364, 365 

Ebury, Lord and Lady, 224, 225 
Egypt, Viceroy of, visit of, to Berlin, 208 
Elgin, Lady, 334 
Elphinstone, Major (Sir Howard, K.C..B.), 166, 

184, 202 
Ely, Lady, 133, 134, 136 
Engeler, Adam, guide, 178 
Erbach, Count, 99 



■pAULQIJEMONT, 245 
Fife, Lady, 51, 53 

Fischbach, 208, 216, 217 

Fiorschutz, Eath, 55 

Prauenverein, 158, 162 

Freitag, Gustav, 121 

French, Empress of, her kindness to Prince 

. and Princess of Hesse during Exhibition of 
1867, 164 ; distress of, after attempt on Em- 
peror of Eussia's life, 173 ; gift of Arenen- 
berg by, to Emperor Louis Napoleon, 182 ; 
Franco-German War, 250 ; in England, 267 ; 
general sympathy with, on death of Em- 
peror, 297 

French, Napoleon, Emperor of, invites princes 
of Europe to Paris Exhibition, 163 ; at- 
tention to Prince and Princess of Hesse, 
164 ; Arenenberg, his property, 182 ; Franco- 



HESSB 

German War, 250 ; treatment of, in England, 

267 ; death, 296 
French, Louis Philippe, King of the, 296 
Frbbel, F., Herr, 276 



Q.AEDINEE, Colonel, 355 

George, Prince, son of Prince and Prin- 
cess of Wales, 73, 328 

Gej^er, Mr., 186 

Gleichen, Laura, Countess of, 177, 178, 179, 181 

Gleichen, Victor, Count of, 177, 178, 179, 180, 
181 

Gloucester, Duchess of, 3, 86 

Gloucester, Sophia Matilda, Princess of, 3 

Gbben, General von, in command of Prussians 
at Darmstadt, 119 

Gortschakoff, Prince, 344 

Grancy, Marie, 85, 105, 270, 272 

Grant, Mrs., 325 

Grant, John, 35 

Grant, Sir Hope, his book on Indian Mutiny, 
319 

Granville, Lord, 222 

Gravelotte, 233, 281 

Graves, Miss, 318, 325 

Grey, Mrs., 240 

Grey, Colonel, son of Sir George Grey, his 
death, 331 

Grey, General, 154 

Grolmann, Adolphus, 93 

Grosvenor, Miss (Oggie), daughter of Lord 
Ebury, 225 

Griiaer, Professor, 302 



TTALLNACHS, Dr., 59 

Hamilton, Duchess of, 40 

Hanover, Ernest Augustus, King of, 3 

Harcourt, Colonel and Lady Catherine, 21 

Hardinge, Mrs., 74 

Hardinge, the Hon. Emily Caroline, accom- 
panies Princess Alice to Italy, 293 ; death 
of, 344, 345 

Harrison, Mr., 342 

Helena, Princess, 18 ; betrothal of, 111 ; Prince 
Adalbert's praise of, 199 

Helps, Sir Arthur, 36, 334 

Hesse, Alexander, Prince of, 28-30, 44, 48, 53, 
56, 76, 128, 129, 133, 135, 143, 159, 278, 280 

Hesse, Grand Duchess of. See Alice 

Hesse, Charles, Prince of, father of Prince 
Louis, 14, 26, 72, 78, 89, 91 ; grief at loss of 
his daughter, 93-8; his delicate state of 



INDEX. 



409 



HESSE 

health, 110 ; at Darmstadt during the war, 
119 ; at blessing of Prince and Princess's 
new palace, 124 ; distress at position of Ms 
son, Prince Henry, during the German war, 
136; patron of Prauenverein, 161; Prince 
Louis' son named after, 205 ; Prince and 
Princess guests of, at Castle Pisclibach, 217 ; 
three sons in the war, 243 ; continual 
anxiety, 247, 248, 256 ; meeting with Prince 
Louis, 257 ; his reception of Marquis and 
Marchioness of Lome, 267 ; at Sorrento, 
294, 299, 303, 304 ; death, 349, 352-4 
Hesse, Princess Charles of, 15, 28, 33, 49, Ti ; 
kindness to Princess Alice, 78 ; death of her 
daughter. Princess Anna, 93-5 ; at Kranich- 
stein to meet Her Majesty, 103 ; Princess 
Alice's frequent vists to, at the Eosenhohe, 
108 ; much with the Princess Alice during 
the war, 119 ; present at blessing of new 
palace at Darmstadt, 124, 125 ; helps in es- 
tablishing Frauenyerein, 159, 161 ; proxy 
for Her Majesty at baptism of Prince 
Ernest, 206, 323 ; original famous Holbein 
in Darmstadt Gallery, property of, 218 ; 
three sons in the war, 243, 247-9 ; compli- 
mentary message concerning her sons from 
Eussian Emperor, 265 ; illness of, 278 ; 
sympathy of, with Princess Alice in her 
various works, 286 ; death of her hus- 
band, 349, 352-4; at deathbed of Princess 
Alice, 376 
Hesse, Elizabeth Alexandra Louise Alice, 
Princess of, birth and christening of, 65, 78, 
79, 85, 90, 101, 102, 104, 114, 122, 137, 147, 
151, 170, 186, 187, 207, 211 ; her delicacy, 
212, 237, 238 ; Christmas letter by, to the 
Queen, 256 ; birthday present from Her 
Majesty to, 286 ; visit of, to Balmoral, 332, 
337 ; sent to Princess Charles, escapes infec- 
tion, 369 
Hesse, Ernest Louis Albert Charles William, 
Prince of, 191, 205, 219, 222, 225, 237, 253, 
260, 266, 268, 280 ; his grief for loss of his 
brother. Prince Frederick, 307, 310, 321, 327, 
342 ; his affectionate disposition, 345 ; in 
picture by Angeli, 367 ; attacked with diph- 
theria, 369-74 
Hesse, Frederick William, Landgrave of, 47, 

55 
Hesse, Frederick, Prince of, brother of Land- 
grave, 55, 76, 165 
Hesse, Frederick William L, Elector of, 159 
Hesse, Frederick William Aizgustus Victor 
Louis, Prince of, 233, 236, 262, 257, 267, 270, 
278, 289, 297, 298 ; description of, 262, 265 ; 



HESSE 

death and reminiscences of, 295, 305, 307, 
308, 311, 319, 321-3, 339, 352 
Hesse, Grand Duchess of (Princess of Bavaria), 

25 
Hessen-Homburg, Elizabeth, Landgravine of, 

125 
Hessen-Homburg, Landgrave of, death of, 125 
Hesse, Henry, Prince of, 14, 20, 44, 55, 110 ; 
his painful position during German war, 
126, 129, 135, 136; made Colonel of 2nd 
Guard of Uhlans, 150; meeting of, with 
Prince Louis, before Metz, 233 ; near each 
other at Worms, 243 ; at Berlin, for Prince 
Adalbert's funeral, 306 ; present at his 
father's death, 349, 352-4 
Hesse, Irene Louise Marie Anna, Pi'incess of, 
119, 120, 138, 139, 143, 149, 151, 168, 183, 1S4, 
193, 207, 261, 270, 312 ; attacked with diph- 
theria, 369 
Hesse, Louis IIL, Grand Duke of, uncle of 
Prince Louis, 14 ; receives Prince and Prin- 
cess, and accompanies them to Darmstadt, 
25 ; country house at Auerbach lent bj', 27 ; 
29, 33 ; Prince's regiment inspected by, 39 ; 
site for new palace given by, 45 ; his kind- 
ness to Prince and Princess, 47, 48, 59 ; at 
JSTice, 90 ; meeting with Emperor and Em- 
press of Russia, 95 ; Princess's visit to, 97 ; 
receives the Garter, 98, 100 ; his Palais at 
Frankfort, 101 ; Prince and Princess with 
him at Gotha, 121, 129, 132, 140 ; at Munich, 
142 ; return, after war, to Darmstadt, 150 ; 
pictures given to Prince and Princess by, 
153 ; his conduct after Convention with 
Prussia, refuses resignation of Prince 
Louis, yields to his demands, 170-2 ; un- 
pleasant crisis, 196 ; General Boniu sent to, 
reinstatement of Prince Louis, reorganisa- 
tion of War Department, 197 ; Princess 
Alice's son named Ernest Ludwig at his 
wish, 205 ; at Friedberg for the manoeuvres, 
219 ; receives Emperor of Germany at Frank- 
fort, 257 ; a new Ministry, 286 ; failing 
health, 336; at Darmstadt, 344; death of, 
355 
Hesse, Louis, Prince of, visits of to England, 
14, 15 ; illness of, and betrothal to Princess 
Alice, 17 ; marrriage of, and departure from 
England, 20, 21 ; reception of, at Darmstadt, 
25, 26 ; life there, 26-34 ; stay at Auerbach, 
visit to Baden, 36-40 ; again in England, 
inspects arsenals &c., 43 ; returns to Darm- 
stadt, 44 ; takes his seat in the Chambers, 
49 ; his occupations, 50, 51 ; votes for 
alteration of Press Law, 53 ; visit to Lich, 



4IO 



INDEX. 



HESSE 

54 ; Giessen, 56 ; England, 58 ; life at G-otha, 
67 ; at Munich, 70 ; summer in England, 
return to Kraniclistein, 73 ; visit to Berlin, 
81 ; autumn in the Highlands, 82 ; at his 
sister's funeral at Schweriu, 93 ; assists at 
investiture of Grand Duke with Order of the 
Garter, 100; tour in Switzerland, 104-107; 
military and other duties at Darmstadt, 111 ; 
visit to Brussels for King Leopold's funeral, 
113 ; war of 1866, assumes command in the 
field, at Aschalfenburg, meeting with the 
Princess, visit with her to the wounded, 
119 ; appointed to command of Hessian 
division, takes up quarters at Merstein- 
Oppenheim, makes public entry into Darm- 
stadt, 120 ; with the staff at Frankfort, 133 ; 
parting from the Princess, 135 ; news of, 
137 ; with the Princess, return to Aschaf- 
fenburg, fighting there, march to Odenwald 
and Amorbach, 138 ; hardships endured by, 
139, 142 ; appointed to the command of the 
troops, sent to Berlin, 143 ; joined by 
Princess at Nierstein, his farewell to 
Cavalry Brigade, 144 ; peace concluded, the 
terms, 148 ; enters Darmstadt at head of the 
troops, 150 ; his busy life, rest at Waldlein- 
ingen, 152 ; at Carlsruhe, 156 ; meeting with 
Crown Prince and Princess at G-otha, visit 
to Berlin and Paris for International Ex- 
hibition, 163 ; at review in Bois de Boulogne, 
visits to England, St. Moritz, Mainau, and 
Cassel, 164 ; avoids Ordenfest, 165 ; his con- 
duct after the war, 170-172 ; visit to Switzer- 
land, 174-182 : military duties, attention to 
Princess during her illness, 194, 195 ; at 
funeral of Ludwig I. of Bavaria, 195 ; un- 
pleasant crisis with Ministry and the Grand 
Duke, his resignation, 196 ; reinstated in 
command, 197 ; press of business, 204 ; birth 
of son, 205 ; visit of, to Potsdam, to Pisch- 
bach in Silesia, to battlefield of Konigs- 
gratz, to Dresden, troops in Upper Hesse 
commanded by, at the manoeuvres, 208 ; 
inspects garrison at Priedberg and G-iessen, 
214 ; Ludwigstag, 220 ; his journey to the 
East, 209, 221, 223; rejoins Princess at 
Cannes, 224; has scarlet fever, 227, 237- 
239; with 9th Army Corps under Prince 
Prederick Charles during Pranco-G-erman 
war, 233 ; at Metz, Mars-la-Tour, and 
Gravelotte, 233, 246-248 ; receives the Iron 
Cross, 249; Field Marshal Wrangel's high 
opinion of, 253 ; garrisons Port St. Privat ; 
with Hessian troops at battle of Orleans, 
236; with head-quarters there on Christ- 



HESSE 

mas Day, 256 ; at Darmsdadt on leave, 257, 
266 ; enthusiastic reception of, 258 ; at Ber- 
lin ; triumphal entry of troops, 267, 268, 
269 ; receives Order of Merit, 264 ; at 
Donjeux, 266 ; enters Darmstadt at head of 
his division, 269, 270 ; visit to England, 
272-274; return to Darmstadt through 
Brussels, 275 ; invested with Order of Black 
Eagle at Berlin, 275, 278 ; press of work, 
279 ; anniversary of battle of Gravelotte, 
281 ; at funeral of Princess Hohenlohe- 
Langenburg, 275, 284 ; change of Ministry 
at Darmstadt, 283 ; present at unveiling of 
monument to Hessian soldiers, 277, 287; 
visit to Italy, 293, 299 ; journey to Eome, 
300 ; visit of Crown Prince and Princess of 
Italy to, 301 ; at Rome, 300-303 ; visit to 
Sorrento, 294, 303 ; Capri, Bay of Naples, 
Florence, 304 ; Verona, Munich, 305 ; re- 
turn to Darmstadt, death of little Prince, 
295, 296, 305; visit to England, 311; to 
Blankenberghe, saves life of a lady while 
bathing, 323, 324 ; at manoeuvres of Eleventh 
Army Corps in Upper Hesse, 314 ; accepts 
new Church laws, 328 ; at Dr. Weber's 
funeral, 335 ; accident on ice, 336 ; visit to 
England, 1875, 332, 337 ; at coming of age 
of Hereditary Grand Duke of Baden, 338 ; 
detained in Germany by the great man- 
oeuvres, joins Princess in England, visit to 
Brussels and Coblenz on return journey, 
341 ; gratitude to Her Majesty for her kind- 
ness ; at Darmstadt, 347 ; illness and death 
of his father, 349, 352-354 ; illness and death 
of Grand Duke, 349-354, 355 ; ascends the 
throne as Louis IV., 349 ; official receptions, 
350 ; failing health of Grand Duchess, 356 ; 
enthusiastic reception at Darmstadt, 350, 
358 ; Emperor and Crown Princess of 
Germany at Darmstadt for cavalry man- 
oeuvres, 350 ; present at marriage of Prin- 
cesses Charlotte and Elizabeth of Prussia, 
portrait of, by Angeli, 363 ; at Eastbourne 
and Osborne, 364 ; return to Darmstadt, 
366 ; attacked with diphtheria, 369 ; re- 
covery of, 371 ; illness and death of Grand 
Duchess, 375, 376 

Hesse, Major von, 271 

Hesse, Marie Victoria Feodora Leopoldine, 
Princess of, 314, 322, 323, 326, 336, 348. 367 ; 
attacked with diphtheria, 369 ; her death, 
370, 372, 376 

Hesse, Victoria Alberta Elizabeth Matilda, 
Princess of, 44, 48-52, 59-61, 63, 65, 66, 70, 
90, 92, 97, 101, 107, 110, 126, 146, 147, 152, 



INDEX. 



411 



HESSE 

155, 167, 186, 188, 196, 201, 204, 205, 211, 

213, 220, 222, 227, 238, 239 ; her facility in 

learning, 240, 261 ; Christmas letter by, &c., 

256 ; letter by, to Princess Beatrice, 305 ; 

visit to Balmoral, 337 ; attacked with 

diphtheria, 368 ; her recovery, 369 
Hesse, Victoria Alix Helfene Louise Beatrice, 

Princess of, 275, 279, 280, 289, 323, 326, 336, 

348, 368, 369 
Hesse, William, Prince of, at Darmstadt, 49, 

58, 110, 125, 135, 220, 257, 300, 302, 337, 352, 

354 
Hildyard, Miss, 89, 312 
Hill, Miss Florence, 276, 285 
Hill, Miss Octavia, 351, 400 
Hofmeister, Dr., 250, 251, 254, 279 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Eliza, Princess of, 53 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Ernest, Prince of, 53 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Eeodora, Princess of 

(Queen's half-sister), sponsor to Princess 

Alice, 3, 40, 53 ; her departure after visit to 

Her Majesty, 125; bad health of, 185; 

Prince and Princess of Hesse at funeral of, 

275 ; mention of visit to convent at Rome 

by, 301 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Feodora Victoria 

Adelaide Paulina Am alia Maria, Princess 

of, niece of Her Majesty, 165 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Hermann, Prince of, 

66, 318, 338 
Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Leopoldine, Princess 

of, 66, 318, 338 
Hohenlohe, Prince of, 53 
HohenzoUern-Sigmaringen, Anton, Prince of, 

death of, 142 
HohenzoUern-Sigmaringen, Anton, Prince of, 

207 
Holstein, Henry Charles "Woldemar, Prince of, 

261 
Holyrood, 280 
Holzei, Herr, 35 

Houlgate, in Normandy, 350, 356 
Howard, Monsignor (Cardinal), 294, 301 



TTALT, Humbert, Prince of (now King), 301 
Italy, Marguerita, Princess of (now Queen), 
294, 301 
Italy, Victor Emanuel, King of, 294, 305 



TAaER, Catherine, 185 

Jager, servant, 104; illness of, 183, 185, 
189 ; death of, 199-200 



LOKXE 

Jenner, Dr. (Sir William), 90, 134, 278, 402 
Joachim, Herr, 278 
JoceljTi, Lady, 46 
Joch Pass, 107 
Jowett, Professor, 169 



T^ANN:^, M., 245, 250, 300 
Kehrer, General, 246 

Kent, Duchess of, visits of grandchildren to, 
12 ; failing health and death of, 16 ; remem- 
brance of, by Pi-incess Alice, 39 ; souvenirs 
of, at Amorbach, 62 ; anniversary of death, 
69, 86 ; of birthday, 179, 281, 324 ; miniature 
of, bought by Princess Alice, 183 ; 190 ; 261 ; 
engraving of portrait of, sent to Princess 
Alice, 298 ; Princess's loving recollections 
of, 324 

Kerr, Lord Robert S., 55 

Kingsley, Rev. C, his Saint's Tragedy, 57 

Kinkel, Professor, 237 

Kitz, Friiulein, governess, 266, 303 

Kleinwart, Herr, 266 

Knollys, Miss Charlotte, 184 

Knollys, Lady, 184 

Knollys, Sir William, 184 

Kohler, 254 

Kbnigsgratz, 208 

Kraus, architect, 60 

KrJiuslach, groom, 342 



T ANFREY, Life of Napoleon by, 223, 239 

Lauchert, Amalie, Princess of Hohenlohe- 
Schillingsfiirst, 166 

Leiningen, Alberta, Princess of, 152 

Leiningen, Charles, Prince of, 52, 62 

Leiningen, Edward, Prince of, 62, 66 

Leiningen, Ernest, Prince of, 62, 73 ; visit of 
Princess Alice to, 152 ; at Osborne, 201 

Leiningen, Marie, Princess of, 62, 66, 152 ; at 
Carlsruhe, 338 

Le Mans, 260 

Leopold, Prince, 17 ; serious illness of, 192, 
193 ; his confirmation, 210 ; improved health 
of, 252 ; godfather to Prince Frederick 
William of Hesse, 252, 257, 264 ; the last to 
visit Princess Alice at Darmstadt, 366 

Locock, Sir Charles, 46 

Loftus, Lord Augustus, at Berlin, 215 

Logoz, Sarah, nurse, 104, 175 

Logoz, Theodore, 104 

Lome, Marquis of, his marriage, 264; at 
Darmstadt on wedding tour, 265, 267 



412 



INDEX. 



LOUISE 

Louise, Princess, 11, 45, 77, 128 ; letter to 
Princess Alice by, 192 ; Prince Adalbert's 
praise of, 199 ; her marriage, 264 ; wedding 
tour, 265, 266, 267; present given to, by 
91st Highlanders, 273 ; member of Institute, 
285 ; visit to Mr. Motley with Princess Alice, 
347 

Louise, Princess, daughter of Prince and 
Princess of Wales, 219 

Lowenstein, Prince, 66 

LUtzow, Count, 61 

Luxembourg question, 163, 168, 169 

Lyttelton, Lady, 6 



lYfACDONALD, Miss Flora, 281 

Macleod, Dr., 79, 80, 84, 280, 307 

Mainau, 164, 181, 310 

Manchester, Duchess of, 46 

Manstein, General von, 245 

Manteuffel, General, 233 

Marie Amelie, Queen of the Prench, death of, 
126 

Marlborough House, 46, 72, 336 

Marochetti, Baron, his statue of Prince Con- 
sort, 31 

Martin, Mr. (Sir Theodore), 4, 329, 331, 333, 
334 ; In Memoriam Memoir of Princess 
Alice by, 396 

Mary, Princess (Duchess of Teck), 55, 73, 101, 
102, 103, 271, 310 

Maude, Colonel, 254 

McDonald, Annie, 203 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Anna, Duchess of, 
niece of Prince and Princess of Hesse, 170 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Anna, Princess of 
Hesse, Grand Duchess of, 46, 49, 55 ; mar- 
riage of, 64, 72 ; at Kranichstein, 76 ; death 
of, 81, 90-99 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Frederick, Grand 
Duke of, engagement of, to Princess Anna 
of Hesse, 46 ; his marriage, 72 ; death of his 
wife, 81 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Hereditary Grand 
Duchess of, 58 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Marie, Princess of, 287 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Adolphus, Grand Duke 
of, 55 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Augusta, Princess, 
Grand Duchess of, 55, 221 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Caroliae, Duchess of, 55 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Dowager Duchess of, 55 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Frederick, Grand Duke 
of, 221, 280 

Mendelssohn, his Elijah, 88 



PRUSSIA 

Mensdorff, Pouilly, Graf von, 128 

Metz, 233 ; nurses from Alice Society sent to, 

234 ; battle near to, 246, 287 ; 350 
Meyer, Stallmeister, 182 
Meyer, Superintendent, 35 
Moffat, nurse of Princess Victoria of Hesse, 

48, 59, 66, 104 
Molin, Herr von, lecture on Art in Venice 

by, 167 
MoUer, Oberlieutenant, 247 
Morier, Lady, 169, 187, 211, 282, 300 
Morier, Sir Eobert, 169, 187, 211, 228, 237, 282, 

300 
Motley, Mr. Lothrop, 347 
Minter, Dr., 202 

Mitchell, Mr., librarian. Old Bond Street, 266 
Muller, Madame, 8 
Miiller, Max, letter by, 352 
Mulooly, Father, 303 



lyJASSAIJ, Duke and Duchess of, 47, 131- 

Nassau, Mcolas, Prince of, 47 
Nemours, Duke of, 108, 176 
Netherlands, Prince and Princess Frederick of, 

225 
Nickel, Herr, 152 
Nightingale, Florence, 161 



QBEEHESSEN, 56, 92, 141, 144 

Obernitz, Hugo von, 142 
Orchard, nurse. Princess Alice's high opinion 

of, 168, 211, 238, 303, 368, 372 
Orleans, Marguerite, Princess of, 108 



pAGET, Lord Alfred, 46 

Palk, Lady, 266 
Palmerston, Lady, 188, 334 
Pauli, History of England by, 102 
Perth, unveiling of statue of Prince Consort 

at, 73 
Phipps, Sir Charles, 360 
Playfair, Dr. Lyon, 103 
Plonsky, General, 194 
Pope Pius IX., 294 
Portugal, Louis, King of. 111 
Portugal, Maria Pia, Queen of. 111 
Priestley, Dr., 128 
Procter, Miss Adelaide, 307 
Prussia, Adalbert, Prince of, 49, 199, 208, 211 ; 

death of, 306 
Prussia, Augusta, Princess of (Queen of Prus- 



INDEX. 



413 



PRUSSIA 
sia, Empress of Germany), affection of 
Princess Alice for, 10 ; at Baden, 40 ; pro- 
posed visit of Princess Alice to, 41 ; passes 
tlirougli Darmstadt, 48 ; at Carlsruhe, 61 ; 
kindness of, to Princess Alice, 110 ; at 
Madame Viardot's at Baden, 187 ; visit to 
Princess Alice at Darmstadt, 204 ; Prince 
Prederick William Augustus, named after, 

264 ; visit of, to Darmstadt after the peace, 
263 ; interchange of visits with Prince and 
Princess, 341 ; 359 

Prussia, Charlotte, Princess of (daughter of 
Crown Prince and Princess of), 256 ; mar- 
riage of, 359, 363 

Prussia, Elizabeth, Princess of (sister to the 
Duchess of Connaught), marriage of, 363 

Prussia, Frederick Charles, Prince of, iSTinth 
Army Corps commanded by, 1870, 233 ; 
French prisoners and Imperial Guard pass 
before, 236 ; sponsor to Prederick William 
Augustus of Hesse, 257, 264 ; victories of, 260 

Prussia, Prederick William, Crown Prince of (of 
Germany), present at marriage of Princess 
Alice, 20 ; visit of, to Darmstadt, 77 ; there on 
anniversary of December 14 (1864), 79, 80 ; 
kindness of, to Prince and Princess of Hesse, 
85 ; hard work, 87 ; his sad position in case of 
war, 126 ; in Schleswig, 128 ; Prince Louis' 
interview with, 129 ; domestic trouble, 132 ; 
Queen Victoria writes to, 142 ; his kind 
reception of Prince Louis, 144 ; first meet- 
ing with Prince and Princess after the Ger- 
man War, 163 ; meeting at Cassel on return 
from England, 165 ; at Paris, 174 ; visit of, 
to Darmstadt, 186 ; at Baden, 187 ; at Darm- 
stadt on his return from Italy, 200 ; journey 
to the East, 209, 217, 221 ; return journey 
from Cannes, 225 ; his first victory, 244 ; 
sponsor to Prince Prederick William of 
Hesse, 257, 264 ; passes through Frankfort, 

265 ; first visit of, to Darmstadt after the 
war, 275 ; opinion regarding war, 339 ; visit 
of, to Darmstadt to assist at cavalry man- 
oeuvres, 350 ; residing at Wiesbaden, 351 

Prussia, Henry, Prince of, son of Crown Prince 
and Princess, in England with Her Majesty, 
155 

Prussia, Marianne, Princess of, 47 

Prussia, Prince Puegent of, 15 

Prussia, Sigismund, Prince of (son of Crown 
Prince and Princess), Princess Alice's ac- 
count of, 86 ; illness of, 132 ; death of, 136, 216 

Prussia, Victoria, Crown Princess of (of Ger- 
many), memorandum by, 7 ; engagement of, 
12 ; visit of, to Princess Alice, 77 ; at Darm- 



QUEEN 

stadt on anniversary of December 14 (1864), 
80 ; Princess Alice's account of visit to, 85- 
88 ; at EJranichstein, 108 ; war, a terrible 
prospect for, 126, 130, 165 ; death of her son 
Prince Sigismuml, 136 ; Prince Louis kindly 
received by, 144 ; her birthday, 153 ; accepts 
invitation to Paris Exhibition, 163, 174 ; re- 
turn from England, 165 ; visit to Darmstadt, 
185, 186 ; 195 ; Princess Alice spends birthday 
with, 197 ; is at Potsdam with, 208, 216, 217 ; 
together with Princess Alice at Cannes, 209, 
224 ; at Homburg, frequent visits to Princess 
Alice, 236 ; visit of latter to, 249 ; together 
at Berlin, 252, 253 ; sponsor to Prince 
Frederick William of Hesse, 257, 264 ; with 
Princess Alice at Darmstadt on anniversary 
of December 14 (1872), 277 ; 289 ; 299 ; 317 ; 
at Wiesbaden, 351, 359 ; marriage of her 
eldest daughter, 363 

Prussia, Victoria, Princess of (daughter of 
Crown Prince and Princess), 166 

Prussia, Waldemar, Prince of (son of Crown 
Prince and Princess), 224 

Prussia, William I., Prince of (King of Prus- 
sia, Emperor of Germany), at Exhibition 
(1851), 10, 11 ; refuses the meeting at Frank- 
fort, 57 ; kindness of, to Princess Alice, 
81, 86 ; policy of, 130, 137 ; at Paris, 163 ; 
174 ; at Darmstadt, 182, 183 ; at Baden, 187 ; 
sponsor to Prince Ernest of Hesse, 191, 205, 
207 ; mission of General von Bonin from, 
197 ; first inspection of Hessian troops by, 
208 ; makes entry into Frankfort-on-Main, 
257 ; announcement by, of Prince Louis 
having received Order of Merit, passes 
through Frankfort, 265 ; at head of his 
troops at Berlin after the peace, 269 ; 287 ; 
at manoeuvres of Eleventh Army Corps, 
314 ; at Carlsruhe, marches at head of regi- 
ment, 338 ; at Seeheim, 344 ; at Darmstadt, 
for cavalry manoeuvres, 350; attempts on 
life of, 364 

Prussia, William, Prince of (son of Crown 
Prince and Princess), 363 

Punch, sonnet in, on marriage of Princess 
Alice, 21 

Putbus, Prince of, ball given by, 89 



QUEEN VICTOEIA, of England, 3 ; account 
^ by, of Princess Alice's christening, 4 ; 
method of training her children, 6, 7, 11 ; 
anniversary of her wedding, 9 ; account of 
Princess Alice's Confirmation, 14 ; of the 
Princess's engagement, 15, 16 ; announce- 



414 



INDEX. 



QUEEN 

ment to Parliament by, of her contemplated 
marriage, 17 ; death of the Prince Consort, 
18, 19 ; present at Princess Alice's marriage, 
20 ; at Eheinhartsbrunn, receives Prince 
and Princess in England, 27 ; first anniver- 
sary of Prince Consort's death, 43 ; visit of, 
to hospital at Netley, 44; at KJranichstein 
and Coburg, at unveiling of Prince Consort's 
statue, 82 ; letter by, to Baroness Schenck, 
179 ; sponsor to Prince Ernst Ludwig of 
Hesse, 191 ; anxiety of, during Prince Leo- 
pold's illness, 192 ; Princess Alice's recollec- 
tions of first great sorrow of, 195, 196, 212 ; 
letter by, on Princess Victoria's birthday, 
213 ; christening gift to Prince Ernst, 219 ; 
present of pony from, to the Princess's 
children, 220; visit of, to Invertrossachs, 
221 ; statuette of Prince Consort sent to 
Princess Alice by, 240; Princess's thanks 
for letters of sympathy from, during the 
war, 242, 247, 249, 250, 255, 263 ; Prince and 
Princess and family on a visit to, at Bal- 
moral, 258; illness of, 272-4; letters by, 
on birth of Princess Alix, 279 ; visit of, to 
Edinburgh, 280-1 ; death of her half-sister, 
283-5 ; anniversary of Prince Consort's 
death (1872), 288; print of Wiuterhalter's 
picture of Duchess of Kent sent to Princess 
by, also engraving of picture of herself, 299 ; 
opening of Victoria Park by, 302 ; letters 
by, on Princess Alice's birthday, 304, 320-1 ; 
and after Prince Frederick's death, 305, 308 ; 
Prince and Princess's visit to, at Windsor, 
310, 312 ; her birthday (1874), 322 ; Prince 
Consort's, 325 ; advice to Princess regarding 
the education of her children, given by, 
328-9 ; letter by, on publication of Prince 
Consort's Life, 333-4 ; Prince Alice's ex- 
pressions of love for, 337, 346-7; Herr 
Angeli sent to Darmstadt b}^, 363 ; visit of 
Prince and Princess and family to, at Os- 
borne, 364 ; last letters to Princess, 371-2 



-pABENATJ, Ferdinand, 90 

Reuss, Princess, 125 
Reuter, Helene, 280, 310 
Riedesel, Herr von, 56 
Rigi Kaltbad, 81, 104 
Rivers, Lady, death of, 129 
Rivers, Lord, death of, 129 
Robertson, Rev. Frederick William, his ser- 
mons, 74, 76, 98 
Eollande, Madame (RoUet), 224 



SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA 

Rome, 225, 293, 299 Princess Alice's visit to, 

300 
Ruckert, Frederick, quotation from, 327 
Ruland, Mr. (Hofrath), Catalogue of Prince 
Consort's Raphael collection by, 169 ; accom- 
panies Priacess Alice to Italy, 293, 299, 302 
Russell, Lord and Lady John, 223 
Russia, Alexander, Cesarewitch of, 183 ; spon- 
sor to Victoria Alix, Princess of Hesse, 275 
Russia, Alexander IL, Emperor of, visit of, 
to Kranichstein, 73, 74, 76 ; birthday of 
(1865), 90 ; leaves forMce, 94 ; death of his 
son ; visit to Jugenheim, 95 ; at Paris Exhi- 
bition, 163 ; attempts on life of, 173 ; changed 
appearance of, 203 ; review at Darmstadt in 
honour of, 204 ; at Darmstadt again, 269 ; at 
Seeheim, 308 ; his opinion regarding rela- 
tions with England and her policy, 343, 344 
Russia, Cecile, Grand Duchess of, 33, 97 
Russia, Helene, Grand Duchess of, 40 
Russia, Maria, Cesarewna of, 94, 183 ; sponsor 

to Victoria Alix, Princess of Hesse, 275 
Russia, Marie, Empress of, gift to Princess 
Alice from, 48 ; Order given to Princess by, 
74 ; at Kranichstein, 76 ; death of her eldest 
son, 81, 94, 95 ; Emperor's birthday, 90 ; 
meeting with Prince Charles of Hesse, 96, 
97 ; nerves shaken by attempt on Emperor's 
life, 173 ; visit of, to Princess at Darmstadt, 
269 ; proposed winter in Italy, 280 ; letter 
by, on possible marriage of her son, 287 ; at 
Sorrento, 294, 300, 304; at Seeheim with 
Princess Alice, 307, 308 ; present at christen- 
ing of Marie, Princess of Hesse, 314 ; her 
failing health, 318 ; her grief at Prince 
Charles' death, 355 
Russia, Marie, Grand Duchess of, 76, 305 
Russia, Marie, Grand Duchess of (Duchess of 
Edinburgh), Princess Alice's description 
of, 269 ; at Rome, 304 ; serious illness of, 
305 ; at Seeheim, engagement of, to Duke of 
Edinburgh, 308 ; reception of, in England, 
319 ; godmother to Princess Marie of Hesse, 
323 ; last time of meeting with Princess 
Alice at Darmstadt, 375 
Russia, Michael, Grand Duke of, 33, 97 
Russia, Nicholas, Cesarewitch of, death of, 81, 

95, 98, 307 
Russia, Serge, Grand Duke of, 73, 97 
Russia, Vladimir, Grand Duke of, 287 



QAHL, Mr. Hermann, 170, 192 

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Duchess of, visits of 
Princess Alice to, 66, 121, 165, 197 



INDEX. 



415 



SA XE-COBURG-GOTHA 
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Ernest, Duke of, at Prin- 
cess Alice's wedding, in lier father's place, 20 ; 
Princess Alice's visits to, 34, 35, 51, 66. 121, 
165, 197; at Kranichstein , 58 ; at Seeheim, 
100, 101 ; possible opposition to Hessians 
during the war, 137 ; 262 
Saxe-Meiningen, Hereditary Prince of, 359, 363 

Saxony, Albert, Crown Prince of, 266 

Saxony, Amalie, Queen of, 218 

Saxony, Carola, Crown Princess of, 266 

Saxony, George, Prince of, 218, 266 

Saxony, Johann, King of, 218 

Saxony, Marie, Princess of, 218, 266 

Schenck, Baron Alexander, sent to Orleans by 
Princess Alice during the war, 2f^6 

Schenck, Baroness Christa, Lady-in -Waiting 
to Princess Alice, 38, 59. 60, 68 : visits of 
Princess Alice to her parents, 71. 186 : writes 
account of Princess Anca's wedding, 72 ; 76 ; 
134 

Schenck, Baron William, visit of Princess 
Alice to. 71 

Sch^eswig-Holsteln, Adelaide, Duchess of, 165, 
318 

Schleswig-Hol stein, Frederick. Hereditary 
Prince of (later Duke of"), 60. 66 ; meets 
Crown Prince at Carlsruhe, 165, 318 

Seymour, Miss, 51 

Seymour, General (Marquis of Hertford), 30, 
213 

Simon, Madame Marie, 276 

Skelmersdale, Alice (Lady Lathom), 241 

Sligo, Mrs. T., 324 

Sluggan, 111 

Smiles, Dr. Samuel, Lives of Engineers, 84 

Solms-Laubach. Princess. 54 

Solms-Lich, Prince of, President of First 
Chamber. 52 

Somerset, Lady Geraldine, 184 

Spohr, 278 

Stabschef. General, 183 

Stanley, Dean, 73 ; Her Majesty sends sermon 
by, to Princess Alice, 84 ; at Darmstadt, 185 ; 
letter by, to Princess Alice, 317 ; illness of 
his wife, Ladv Augusta. 340-2 ; visit of, to 
Carlyle with Princess Alice. 347 

Stanley, Lady Augusta, 73, 77, 185, 317 ; illness 
of, 340-2 

Stockmar, Baron, 10, 13 ; attachment of Prince 
Louis and Princess Alice to, 14 ; their visit 
to him at Coburg, 34, 35 ; his dislike to 



YSENBUKG 

leave-taking, 313 ; the high standard placed 
by him before Prince Consort, 330 ; his re- 
lations with Prince Consort, 335 
Strauss, David Frederick, becomes acquainted 
with Princess Alice, 227 ; reads to her his 
notes on Voltaire, 228 ; his account of the 
publication and dedication of the work, 
229-31 ; Princess Alice's high opinion of, 
232 



rPElSTS'TSOlSr, his dedication to the Idylls of 

the King, 331 
Theed, Mr., his bust of Prince Consort, 31 
Thorburn, Mr., painter, 137 
Turkey, Sultan of, visit to England, 164, 223 
Tyndall, Professor, 180 



TJSEDOM, Madame d', 176 



TTAN DE WEYER, Mr., his death, 322 

Viardot, Madame, 187 
Vicars, Mrs. Muri-ay, 365 
Victoria. See Queen 



TTTAGNEE. Herr, 62 

Waldeck, Princess of, 223 
Wasa, Gustav, Prince, 59. 74 
Weber, Dr. Carl, 50, 65 ; Princess Alice's hisrh 

opinion of, 72 ; 102, 146, 195, 204, 238 ; death 

of his sister, 249 ; 251 ; funeral of, 335 
Weber, P., painter, 100 
Weimar, Grand Duke of, 53, 299. 344 
Weiss, Sophie, a former dresser of the Queen's 

318 
Wellesley, Hon. and Very Eev. G., Dean of 

Windsor, 13 
Westerweller, Anthony von, 67, 90, 91, 105, 107, 

129 
Westminster. Duke and Duchess of, 274 
Will em, a Malay. Princess Alice's servant, 49 ; 

death of, 174, 177 ; 186, 189, 200 
Winkworth, Miss C, 276, 285 
Winterhalter, painter, 40, 154 
Woodward, Mr., 169 
Wrangel, Field-Marshal von, 253 



xrORK, Archbishop of, 20 

Ysenburg and Biidingen, Prince of, 220 



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